What is A Global Geopark?

A Global Geopark is a unified area with geological heritage of international significance and where that heritage is being used to promote the sustainable development of the local communities who live there. The Global Geopark brand is a voluntary, quality label and while it is not a legislative designation, the key heritage sites within a geopark should be protected under local, regional or national legislation as appropriate. UNESCO offers support Global Geoparks on an ad-hoc basis via requests from Member States. Global Geopark status does not imply restrictions on any economic activity inside a geopark where that activity complies with local, regional or national legislation. As of September 2011 the GGN has 89 members in 27 countries.

(source – www.unesco.org)