According to Croatian media, it is very likely that Papuk mountain in Slavonia will be included next week in the UNESCO’S network of the world’s geoparks. The full membership is expected to be confirmed in September. Beside Velebit and the Plitvice Lakes, Papuk will be the third geopark located in Croatia.

Papuk has sixty nine protected geological localities, including the geological phenomenon Rupnica, which covers almost the whole Earth’s geological history. Not hiding their admiration for Papuk, the largest island in the Panonian Sea some twenty million years ago, the UNESCO’s commission confirmed on Sunday in Velika its nomination for a European geo park.

About UNESCO Geoparks: Global Network of National Geoparks:  The Global Network of National Geoparks assisted by UNESCO provides a platform of active cooperation between experts and practitioners in geological heritage. Under the umbrella of UNESCO, and through exchange between the global network partners, important national geological sites gain worldwide recognition and profit through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, experience and staff with other Geoparks. Geoparks are not just about rocks-they are about people. It is crucial that they get involved-we want to see as many people as possible getting out and enjoying the geology of the area. Our aim is to maximise geotourism (…) for the benefit of the local economy and to help people to understand the evolution of their local landscape…. read more