Geotourism

This approach, beyond highlighting natural attractions, also promotes scientific, cultural, and environmental awareness among tourists. Designed with the goal of enhancing public knowledge about geological processes and encouraging the conservation of natural resources—particularly in rural and less-developed areas—geotourism plays an important educational and sustainable role.

Among the subfields of geotourism are:

• Geopark: A defined geographical area containing geological resources of scientific, educational, cultural, and aesthetic value, managed with the aim of conserving these resources, promoting sustainable tourism, and providing public education.


• Geosite: A location or site with outstanding geological features, which may include rocks, fossils, minerals, geological structures, or other natural phenomena. Geosites are usually part of a geopark.

Currently, Iran has three geoparks registered on UNESCO’s Global Geoparks list, each with unique geological and natural characteristics:

1. Qeshm Geopark – The First Geopark in Iran and the Middle East
   Located on Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province, with an area of over 1,500 km², it became the first geopark in Iran and the Middle East to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Global Geoparks list in 2006. The island is renowned for its unique geological features such as the Valley of the Stars, Namakdan Cave, and rocky coastlines, making it a prime geotourism destination.


2. Aras Geopark – A Cross-Border Geopark with Geological and Biological Diversity
   Situated in Jolfa County, East Azerbaijan Province, Aras Geopark covers about 1,670 km² and was registered in 2023 as Iran’s third UNESCO Global Geopark. The region is notable for its geological diversity—including sedimentary and volcanic rocks—as well as its natural habitats and rare wildlife species.


3. Tabas Geopark – A Desert Geopark with Unique Geological Features
   Located in Tabas County, South Khorasan Province, this vast geopark lies within Iran’s central desert. It is distinguished by its geological phenomena such as sand dunes, dry valleys, and salt structures, making it a geopark with remarkable desert geology.