The Algarvensis territory, spanning three municipalities across the Algarve, has been officially recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, becoming Portugal’s seventh geopark to join the organisation’s worldwide network, Silves Municipal Council has announced.
The designation was approved under UNESCO’s International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, formalising a decision that had already been signalled in September last year.
Today, Thursday 23rd April, UNESCO recognised 12 new Global Geoparks, further reinforcing the role of these territories in promoting sustainable development on a global scale.
“With this recognition, Portugal now counts seven UNESCO Global Geoparks, consolidating its international standing in the promotion of geological heritage and the implementation of sustainable territorial development strategies,” the Silves authority said in a statement.
Located in the Algarve region, the Algarvensis Geopark encompasses the municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira, covering a continuous area of 2,427 square kilometres that includes the Serra, the Barrocal, and the coastal zone, as well as a significant marine component.
The recognition typically highlights a territory of internationally significant geological heritage, whose history stretches back more than 300 million years and records key stages in the Earth’s evolution, including the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea, the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, and major mass extinction events.
Beyond its scientific importance, the Algarvensis Geopark positions itself as a model for sustainable development, promoting the integration of natural, cultural, and community heritage, with a strong emphasis on geotourism and active local participation.
The designation marks a new phase for the region, entailing an ongoing commitment to UNESCO’s values and principles, as well as to the criteria established by the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), particularly in the areas of conservation, education, and sustainable development.
The distinction is the result of joint work by the municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira, the University of the Algarve, public institutions, the scientific community and local residents, reflecting a shared vision for the promotion and international projection of the territory.
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: Vasco Célio
