Geotourism in Light of Potential Geoheritage and Geoparks in Iraq

Abstract

Geoparks are unique natural geographic areas in which sites and landscapes of global geological importance can be managed to provide protection, education, and sustainable development. Geoparks revives recreational and scientific tourism to create sustainable local development under the auspices of local and international authorities. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosts many geoparks and aspires to include the most significant possible number of countries and expand global participation. Geopark aims to protect biodiversity and geo-heritage through the participation of local communities, increase the level of awareness and understanding of environmental and resource issues, as it includes the optimal and sustainable use of land resources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and reducing the effects of disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. Iraq includes geological and archaeological sites belonging to ancient civilizations, which left a vast heritage that was and still is the focus of tourists' attention. Therefore, it is worth activating tourism activity through education towards geo-tourism as a recreational community activity that combines culture, science, and economy.