Geoparks are areas of special geological beauty, but also of archaeological, ecological and historical importance. They meet high quality standards and are assessed every four years against strict criteria by the GGN Global Network of National Geoparks. Through highlighting the Geoparks΄ identity, the development of Geotourism is promoted and it affects the living conditions of the inhabitants and, also, the environment.
The aim of every organization, manager of a geopark, is to protect, preserve and highlight the natural and cultural environment of the region, to encourage scientific studies and research within the region, to implement actions for mild forms of tourism, to cultivate environmental awareness among the inhabitants and to promote local products and services. There are over 120 Geoparks in the world, five in Greece and two in Crete, one on Psiloritis Mountain and one in Sitia.
The Sitia Geopark occupies a very large area of 517 square kilometers, from Mesa Mouliana to Kavo Sidero and from Krya to Xeropotamos. It has been designated a rich geo-inheritance as it includes impressive rocks from the main alpine tectonic and post-alpine units, as well as a wealth of fossils, canyons, caves, faults, springs, wells, tectonic faults and folds.
Inside the park there are 80 points-places of geological interest and many others of environmental and cultural interest. A dense network of roads, cycling and hiking routes can gain the visitor's interest. The many road routes on country roads through small settlements offer many sites with amazing views, they go past points of geological interest and connect with hiking trails. The cycling routes require good physical condition but compensate with important and beautiful geo-sites, and also with visits to archaeological sites. The many hiking routes, which last up to two hours, follow, most of the time, the European trail E4, offer a unique view of the eastern coasts of the island, cross abandoned stone settlements and beautiful canyons and reach archaeological sites and Minoan cemeteries.
Very beautiful beaches, such as Ermoupoli, Vai, Kouremenos, Chiona, Kato Zakros, Xeropotamos and Sitia belong to the Sitia Geopark. The Geopark also caters for the more adventurous, with world-renowned windsurfing locations and mapped rock-climbing areas.
Local businesses, restaurants, wineries, dairy farms and small hotels collaborate with the park to offer high quality products and services.
Many school trips are organized to the Geopark and educational material is distributed with the aim to inform and cultivate environmental awareness. The Geopark Information Center operates in the square of Sitia, where information leaflets about the sights, locations, geo-sites and geo-routes are distributed.
(more articles about Crete on www.gomega.gr)
