In this List of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Asia, the term "Asia" means the UNESCO regional network of "Asia Pacifica", which is not a distinction of continents. Anatolia, historically the first Greek "Asia", from Luwian aswiya, today is part of the European Geoparks Network, as is western Russia. As there are not yet any geoparks in Siberia, or eastern Russia, the question of what geopark region it is remains unsettled. Hence the "Asia" portion of Asia Pacifica means southern and central Asia from Iran to Japan with Southeast Asia, which merges into the undefined "Pacifica", presumably involving islands of the Pacific. They must include Australia and New Zealand, not generally considered Southeast Asian or part of Asia. Strictly speaking, distinctions of continent are not being embraced.
All UNESCO regions, however, distinguish the regions by their nations, as part of the bottom up structure of UNESCO geopark networks. A geopark must first apply for accreditation in a "National Geopark Network", if it exists, or its equivalent if it does not. "National Geopark" is a label affixed by UNESCO to noteworthy parks or park systems within a nation. Once accredited there, the geopark applies (through its managers) to the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN). Only after its certification as a regional geopark can it apply for certification as a UNESCO Global Geopark, the international network, of which there is only one.
As of 2022, there are 65 geopark members in the APGN from 8 countries, of which 41 are situated in China.
Certified Global Geoparks in the APGN A certified global geopark is necessarily a certified regional geopark, here the APGN, and a certified national geopark. If any of the three levels of certification are missing for a park, it cannot be a global geopark and does not appear in the list. UNESCO Global GeoparkImageLocationArea(km2)YearRef'sAlxa Desert,Inner Mongolia630.372009Arxan,Inner Mongolia3653.212017Dali-Cangshan,Yunnan9332014Danxiashan,Guangdong2922004Dunhuang,Gansu20672015Fangshan,Beijing, Hebei9542006Funiushan ,Henan15222006Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe,Sichuan18182018Hexigten,Inner Mongolia17502005Hong Kong;Hong Kong1502011Huanggang Dabieshan,Hubei2625.542018Huangshan,Anhui160.62004Jingpohu,Shandong14002006Jiuhuashan,Anhui139.72019Keketuohai,Xinjiang2337.92017Leiqiong,Hainan30502006Leye Fengshan,Guangxhi Zhuang9302010Longhushuan,Jiangxi996.632008Lushan,Jiangxi5002004Mount Kunlun,Qinghai70332014Ningde,Fujian2660.342010Qinling Zhongnanshan,Shaanxi1074.852009Sanqingshan,Jiangxi229.52012Shennongjia,Hubei1022.722013Shilin,Yunnan3502004Songshan,Henan4642004Taining,Fujian3502004Taishan,Shandong158.632006Tianzhusan,Anhui413.42011Wangwushan-Daimeishan,Henan9862006Wudalianchi,Heilongjiang7202004Xingwen,Sichuan1562005Yandangshan,Zhejiang298.82005Yanqing,Beijing620.382013Yimengshan,Shandong1804.762019Yuntaishan,Henan5562004Zhangjiajie,Hunan3982004Zhijindong Cave,Guizhou1742015Zigong,Sichuan1630.462008Batur,Bali370.52012Belitung,Bangka Belitung Islands48002021Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu,Sukabumi12602018Gunung Sewu,Gunung Kidul, Wonogiri, Pacitan18022015Ijen,East Java47232023Maros-Pangkep,South Sulawesi50772023Merangin Jambi,Jambi48322023Raja Ampat,Southwest Papua366602023Rinjani,Lombok28002018Toba Caldera,North Sumatra11302020Aso,Kumamoto11982014Itoigawa,Niigata7502009Izu Peninsula,Shizuoka20272018Mt. Apoi,Hidaka364.32015Muroto,Kōchi248.22011Oki Islands,Shimane673.52013San'in Kaigan,Kyoto, Shin'onsen, Tottori24582010Toya-Usu,Abuta11812009Unzen Volcanic Area,Nagasaki459.522009Qeshm Island,Hormozgan20632017LangkawiEth,Langkawi4782015Bohol Island,Bohol8,8082023Cheongsong,Gyeongbuk845.712017Jeju Island,Jeju-do18472010Mudeungsan,Jeollanam-do10512018Satun,Satun25972018Khorat,Nakhon Ratchasima31672023Dong Van Karst Plateau,Ha Giang23562015Non nuoc Cao Bang,Cao Bang30002018
See also National geoparks of China
References
External links
Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (accessed 10 February 2020)