The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia is working to establish and enhance several sites with unique geological and cultural significance.
The goal is to have more than ten of these sites recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks, joining a list of 213 sites worldwide.
The Center informed Asharq Al-Awsat that registering these sites with UNESCO brings many advantages.
The primary benefit is international recognition, which attracts global attention to the geological and cultural importance of these sites. This increased visibility draws tourists, especially those interested in geological tourism, and boosts scientific and educational activities.
The sites provide an excellent environment for teaching Earth’s history and encouraging scientific studies.
Moreover, the Center noted that this recognition promotes the region’s cultural heritage.
The combination of geological and cultural features offers visitors unique experiences, showcasing how humans adapted to natural changes.
It also supports environmental protection and sustainable development by raising awareness and encouraging local communities and authorities to preserve these areas.
A delegation from UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Committee has recently inspected the Geological Park in Northern Riyadh, 120 kilometers from the capital, and the Salma Geological Park in Hail, northern Saudi Arabia.
The assessment tour is set to continue with visits to eight more parks before final approval under UNESCO's Global Geoparks Program.
Saudi Arabia’s Geological Riches
According to geological experts, geological parks represent unique areas that delve into the depths of ancient history, revealing numerous events and stories linked to geographical and historical realities, past, present, and future.
These unique geological formations, with their diverse landmarks and structures shaped over millions of years, explore the connections between geology, local communities, culture, and the natural world of all living organisms that have thrived and vanished on this defined geographical patch.
Saudi Arabia boasts what can be described as “multi-faceted geological museums,” uncovering most geological eras that have left their marks on planet Earth, with a heritage dating back around 550 million years.
This includes formations in the Makkah region, where geologists suggest successive volcanic eruptions shaped its volcanic belt in a straight line, and in AlUla province, adorned over millions of years by weathering agents revealing intricate details.
Also noteworthy are other formations in the Riyadh and Tabuk regions.
