On April 27, 2026, Paris hosted the certificate ceremony for the latest territories to join the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. This achievement marks the culmination of years of work by local communities, scientists, and government officials who prepared the bids, conducted technical assessments, and created sustainable development programs. The new sites feature the karst landscapes of Japan, the ancient reefs of Bashkortostan, the glacial regions of western Ireland, and the red terrains of southern France. All these areas are united not just by their exceptional geology, but also by their dedication to preserving natural and cultural heritage. Today, UNESCO geoparks are becoming an essential part of the global scientific and ecological agenda. These are regions where environmental protection is paired with scientific research, education, and the empowerment of local communities.
Terres d’Hérault UNESCO Global Geopark, France
The Terres d’Hérault in France's Occitanie region is among the new UNESCO geoparks recognized in 2026. The official designation followed several years of rigorous preparation, international peer reviews, and an assessment of the area’s natural and cultural legacy. Spanning more than 100 municipalities in the Hérault department, the geopark covers approximately 540 million years of geological history. Key sites within its boundaries include Lake Salagou, the Cirque de Navacelles, various karst landscapes, and the Coumiac marble quarries. The region is particularly famous for its ruffe—the local red sandstones that are rich in iron oxide. These rock formations began to take shape about 250 million years ago. The striking contrast between the red hills and the turquoise water of Lake Salagou, which was created after a dam was built in the late 1960s, has made this one of the most recognizable landscapes in southern France. UNESCO’s documentation describes the territory as a unique "open-air laboratory for the Earth," showcasing tectonic shifts, erosion, sedimentation, and ancient climate changes. Furthermore, the geology here is deeply intertwined with Occitanie’s cultural landscape—its vineyard regions, rural settlements, and local traditions.
Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark, Ireland
Another of the new UNESCO sites is the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark in the west of Ireland. This territory spans parts of counties Galway and Mayo, including the Connemara region, Killary Harbour, Lough Corrib, and Lough Mask, as well as the Mweelrea mountain range. The geological history of the region dates back approximately 700 million years. It features ancient rock formations, evidence of tectonic activity, and landscapes sculpted by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Glacial movement is precisely what gave the local valleys and lakes their modern topography. Killary Harbour is often called Ireland’s only fjord, although geologists classify it as a ria—a submerged river valley. Nevertheless, this narrow inlet remains one of the most impressive natural features on the country's west coast. The cultural aspect of the region is of particular significance. Roughly 60% of the geopark is located within the Gaeltacht, where the Irish language is still used in daily life. This is the first geopark on the island of Ireland to include such a large Irish-speaking area.
Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Geopark, Japan
The Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which is Japan's largest karst region, also received UNESCO Geopark status. The limestone plateaus in this area were formed about 350 million years ago from ancient coral reefs during the Carboniferous period. Subsequent tectonic activity lifted these marine formations above sea level, creating a complex karst system featuring limestone fields, underground rivers, and sinkholes. The region's primary natural landmark is the Akiyoshi-do cave, which extends over 10 kilometers and is one of Japan's largest limestone caverns. The interior contains subterranean water systems, limestone terraces, and massive natural chambers. The cave has been open to visitors since the mid-20th century and is considered a key site for Japanese speleology. The geopark is involved in monitoring karst processes and preserving the plateau’s fragile ecosystems, where climate change and erosion are managed as long-term environmental risks.
Toratau Geopark, Bashkortostan, Russia
The Toratau Geopark in Bashkortostan, Russia, has also officially joined the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. It is the republic’s second UNESCO geopark, following Yangantau, which earned the title in 2020. The primary symbols of the area are the Toratau, Yuraktau, and Kushtau shikhans. These isolated limestone hills are the remnants of ancient coral reefs from the Permian Sea, dating back roughly 280 to 290 million years.
The Bashkir shikhans are considered unique geological features because such reef systems are rarely preserved on the surface in such a well-documented and accessible form. The territory is highly significant for both geological science and the region’s cultural history. The geopark also includes international stratigraphic standards, namely the Usolka and Dalny Tyulkas sections. These outcrops are used as global geological benchmarks to define the boundaries of geological stages.
Notable natural features within the geopark also include the Askynskaya Ice Cave, which contains relic ice formations that have developed over millennia; the Kinderlinskaya Cave, one of the largest in the Urals at 8 kilometers long; and the seasonal Kuk-Karauk waterfall, which is at its most powerful in the spring.
The History of Earth in the Landscape: What Unites the New Geoparks
The new UNESCO Geoparks for 2026 demonstrate the incredible diversity of Earth’s history—ranging from ancient seas and coral reefs to karst systems and glacial landscapes. These territories are now part of a global network where natural heritage is valued on an international scale.
"Every rock formation, every canyon, and every fossil tells a story that belongs to all of humanity." "In just ten years, UNESCO Global Geoparks have shown that protecting geological heritage also means advancing science, strengthening education, and improving the resilience of local communities." "What unites these 241 sites in 51 countries is not just their geological significance, but a shared mission to pass on knowledge while putting the interests of local communities first," said UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany.
The expansion of the geopark network reflects a growing global interest in preserving unique natural areas—not just as scientific sites, but as the environments where the culture, history, and identity of entire regions were formed.
