The Algarvensis Geopark candidate's candidacy enters the final stretch

Kristin Rangnes, from Norway, and geologist Christophe Lansigu, from France, were in the municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira this week to assess whether the Algarve's candidacy met the criteria required by UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization].

"This is our first time in this area. It's always great to visit new places, especially when they're at this stage of the process, a little nervous, but also very excited to show everything. I think our first impression is that there's a lot of history here—both natural and cultural—and that's very impressive. For us, who also come from a geopark, we always look for the human capacity to serve as a bridge between humans and nature. And we saw many good examples. Meeting the local population is another very, very important part of the mission," Kristin Rangnes told reporters yesterday in Silves.

On a warm, sunny afternoon, the evaluators' mission culminated with the opening of the Algarvensis Geopark Infocenter in that city, the second interpretive center available to the public, after the one in Loulé.

Hailing from Scandinavia, Rangnes made no secret of her love for the Mediterranean climate and her impressions of the Algarve's natural and human-inspired landscapes. "It's fair to say we were pleasantly surprised. It was great to see the richness of the interior. We really hope the geopark can help encourage beach and golf lovers to explore other areas. There's geological heritage inland, but also along the coast. The most important thing is to transform scientific knowledge into something that can also be a tourist asset. And I think they've managed to begin that journey here and tell a very interesting story about the region," she said.

The evaluators will now prepare a report for the Secretariat of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council. Although they have no decision-making power, their recommendations to the jury will be crucial to the outcome.

"We always say it's very important to remember that a geopark isn't a finished product. It's always evolving. All reports will also include recommendations for future work—which is positive. We'll work on that and report on what we've seen and how we think it's working. We'll do our best," promised Rangnes, Director-General of the UNESCO Global Geopark Gea Norvegica in Norway.

The Algarve application may be accepted, rejected or returned for reformulation, although there is always the possibility of a second opportunity.

Rosa Palma, president of the board of directors of the Algarvensis Geopark Association, recalls that the work began in 2018, when the municipalities of Loulé, Silves, and Albufeira began working on a bid that combines science—geology, paleontology, biology, and archaeology—with the integration of local communities.

He also mentioned that during this visit, three routes were presented to the evaluators: "Melody of Water" ; "From the Sea to Red Rock" ; and "Ancestral Footprints." The objective was to demonstrate, "with a critical eye," a sample of the potential of the three municipalities that could earn international recognition.

"All geoparks have a very strong essence. They are not comparable because each has its own intrinsic value, and UNESCO recognition reinforces this. The Algarve is already a benchmark, but we needed a distinct identity. We want tourists, especially those who visit us regularly and not just in the summer, to have unique experiences that leave visitors with a sense of belonging and a desire to return," he emphasized.

Rosa Palma also said that in a "very vast territory, covering more than 2,000 square kilometers, this is only possible with the involvement of local entities, parish councils, and partners present in different locations, who share the same philosophy and value endemic products and traditions."

For now, all that remains is to open the Albufeira Interpretation Center, which will be located in the old Municipal Market, in the city center, although the person in charge has not given any dates.

The results of the application will be known after deliberation by the Council of the Global Geoparks Network, at the 11th International Geoparks Conference, which will take place in early September 2025, in Chile.

The working visit of Kristin Rangnes and Christophe Lansigu took place from July 2 to 5.