Brazil and Portugal welcome new UNESCO Global Geoparks

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, awarded the title of Global Geopark to another 18 new locations, including the Brazilian municipality of Uberaba and the Western Region of Portugal.

The new official designation announced in Paris includes locations in countries such as China, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary and Poland. The seal is valid for four years on the list containing 213 geoparks in 48 countries.

Fragmentation

The municipality of Uberaba is highlighted by prehistoric landmarks, which include the Galga and Geral mountains. The two formations feature basalt lava flows that mark volcanic events prior to the fragmentation of the supercontinent Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean.

UNESCO talks about the pioneering spirit of Uberaba farmers who introduced the Zebu cattle breed at the end of the 21st century

The sedimentary rocks of the Botucatu Formation are covered, which houses one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world. The aquifer that gives the region its name is derived from the ancient Tupi term Y-berab, which means “clear water”.

With the slogan “Land of Giants”, Uberaba has a wealth of paleontological heritage with “more than 10 thousand fossils discovered, including dinosaurs, crocodyliforms, turtles and a multitude of other prehistoric creatures”.

Upon being recognized by UNESCO, the municipality of Uberaba became the first in Minas Gerais and the sixth in Brazil to obtain the seal granted since 2015 in recognition of its geological heritage of international importance.

Social, cultural and economic development

One of the prehistoric fossils in Uberaba is the Uberabatitan ribeiroi, the largest dinosaur discovered in Brazil, measuring 27 meters long and 10 meters high.

Another notable element is the social, cultural and economic development of the region, attributed especially to the pioneering spirit of local farmers who introduced the Zebu cattle breed at the end of the 21st century.

For UNESCO, this practice revolutionized the Brazilian livestock market, but it is also an international reference for low CO2 emissions from livestock farming.

Oeste Geopark in Portugal

The Western Region of Portugal now bears the title of Global Geopark for its geological layers dating back to the end of the Triassic Period, around 230 million years ago. They extend back to the Holocene, 11,700 years ago, a time that saw the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Coastline in central-west Portugal involves 72 km of the Atlantic region

Currently the coastline “plays a crucial role in supporting local communities through fishing, with several small ports”. One example is the unique craft of Peniche bobbin lace, a textile technique that was traditionally practiced by fishermen’s wives.

The coastline in central-west Portugal involves 72 km of the Atlantic region, with more than 15 km of sandy beaches. The richness of the Oeste Geopark highlights the paleontological heritage with more than 180 fossil sites, including remains of 12 different species of dinosaurs.

Fossilized dinosaur nests

The site has fossilized dinosaur nests with embryos, of which there are only 12 in the entire world.

For UNESCO, geoparks are a heritage that serves local communities. The agency makes public disclosure defending a sustainable approach given by these places to development.

UNESCO also highlights that it will continue to promote the concept of geoparks in regions where they are less common, namely Africa, Arab States and Small Island Developing States.

One of the main operations is the facilitation of the presence of experts, personalized training sessions and individual consultations on a national and local scale, to guide the preparation of applications for Global Geoparks status.