Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark: The Culture of Landscape

Abstract

The Meridional Meseta Naturtejo Geopark was the doorway for the development of several geoparks in Portugal seeking to become part of a formal UNESCO initiative under the Global Geoparks Network. The outstanding geological heritage summing 176 geosites is part of an ancient etchplain-type landscape where residual reliefs and deeply incised rivers, including the Tejo (Tagus), coexist with Variscan and Alpine orogenies-related tectonic landforms, between the Southern Plateau and the Iberian Central Mountain Belt. Local identity is strongly bonded to geological landscapes, a relation that is being used to promote the territory as a new and different nature tourism destination in the domestic and foreign markets, and to foster projects for local sustainable development. The approach of the Naturtejo Global Geopark is to promote networking within the territory in both public and private sectors and with other geological-related institutions and geoparks in subjects such as heritage protection and use, formal and non-formal education and sustainable economy based on local resources.