UNESCO Global Geoparks

UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas with significant fossil sites, caves, mines or rock formations. They invite visitors to follow the traces of the past to better understand planet Earth and the conditions of life.  

There are 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 48 countries worldwide, with eight of them located in Germany (as of 2024). These geoparks have diverse responsibilities, including preserving geoscientific heritage of international importance for future generations. UNESCO Global Geoparks make the heritage of their landscapes an experience for both visitors and local residents through education, protection and facilitating sustainable regional development. They also work closely on a global scale, in order to make Earth history also tangible in other countries and to shape a sustainable future in those regions.

UNESCO Global Geoparks have existed since 2015. In this short time, the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germans have already made significant progress and established themselves as developmental frameworks for their regions. The eight German UNESCO Global Geoparks cover approximately seven percent of Germany’s land area.

A UNESCO Global Geopark collaborates with local residents living within the geopark area—and also works together with other UNESCO Global Geoparks through the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the European Geoparks Network (EGN). Cooperating with international partners is the main reason that UNESCO Global Geoparks join an international network like GGN. Membership in the GGN is mandatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks. Through cross-border cooperation, UNESCO Global Geoparks contribute to improving understanding between different communities, thereby supporting peace-building processes.