Ninth annual seminar Sobrarbe Geopark

Boltaña October 25, 2015: The ninth annual seminar Sobrarbe Geopark closes its doors after three days dedicated to know “The Secrets of the Pyrenees Subterranean” through a geological element of particular importance in the Sobrarbe Geopark, the karst.

A total of 114 people from all over Spain, France and South America have participated in this edition. In a pleasant way and addressed to the general public, have been shown and interpreted the impressive landscapes, both underground and on the Earth’s surface both, that water and rocks have sculpted in this Geopark the Pyrenees. All this was through guided outings and different lectures and presentations.

As in other activities that are organized throughout the year in the Geopark, and through the use of the infrastructure created in it (30 geological itineraries, interpretation center, mountain bike routes, mining itinerary, geological routes for schoolchildren, promotion of agrifood products of Sobrarbe …), the Geopark is assuming in Sobrarbe County the use as an educational and tourist resource of a completely new element, such as geology and the impressive geological heritage present in this region of the central Pyrenees .

In addition to success in participation this year has been a special milestone in the history of Sobrarbe Geopark, built since 2006 in the Global Network Geoparks. Because this year the seminar has been sponsored by the Spanish National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO, as a preview of what will likely take place in the coming days in November: the creation of the new International Programme Earth Sciences and Geoparks in the bosom of UNESCO, during its biannual General Conference of this organization taking place at this time.

This will mean that Geoparks are going to become a recognized natural area by UNESCO, like other existing in other UNESCO programs, such as Biosphere Reserves.

For the county of Sobrarbe, which until now had in part of its territory spaces recognized by UNESCO, as a Biosphere Reserve Ordesa-Viñamala or several properties inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO (Pyrenees-Monte Perdido, the Rock Art), the creation of program of UNESCO Geoparks and predictable integration of Sobrarbe Geopark as a Geopark of UNESCO, will involve that this area will have three UNESCO designations, recognizing that Sobrarbe account with a natural, cultural and geological heritage, unique in the world.

The Sobrarbe as the entity that manages the Geopark plans to take full advantage of this designation. No doubt this will increase significantly the international promotion and interest in visiting their territory, all based on sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism, and with an special emphasis on environmental education and research.