English Riviera Geopark

English Riviera Geopark
Saltern Cove is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the English Riviera Geopark
Map showing the location of English Riviera Geopark
Map showing the location of English Riviera Geopark
Shown within Devon
Coordinates50°26′N 3°33′W / 50.44°N 3.55°W / 50.44; -3.55
DesignationUNESCO Global Geopark
DesignatedUNESCO
WebsiteEnglish Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark

The English Riviera Geopark (ERG) in Torbay is one of eight UNESCO Global Geoparks in the United Kingdom, and one of over one hundred and seventy worldwide.[1] It is one of only two urban Geoparks in the UK,[2] and joined the Global Geoparks Network on 16 September 2007.[3][4] The Geopark covers 6,200 hectares of land and 4,100 hectares of sea bed.[5]

Geopark status was granted to Torbay on the grounds that the area has a varied geology covering several geological periods, which are exposed at the surface in many areas, and also that Torbay Council and other bodies have worked to promote the area's distinctive geology to the community via education.[6]

  1. ^ "UNESCO Global Geoparks". Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  2. ^ Joint, Laura. (17 September 2007) BBC Global status for Torbay. (writing, "Torbay is the only urban area in the world to have the status.") Retrieved 6 July 2008.
  3. ^ English Riviera Geopark Status (retrieved 6 July 2008)
  4. ^ "Black Country awarded UNESCO Geopark status". BBC. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  5. ^ State of the Natural Environment(page 29, table 2.4) (retrieved 6 July 2008)
  6. ^ "Central to receiving the status" in "Global status for Torbay" (retrieved 6 July 2008)]