Discover the Geopark

Geopark The South Fyn Archipelago offers a wide range of experiences – on land and at sea. You can go hiking, cycling, horseback riding, sailing, fishing, or diving. You can spend the night in an outdoor shelter or taste the delicious local produce. You can visit sites of geological, biological or cultural significance, or stop by one of the Geopark’s visitors centres and see the amazing stories of the region unfold before your eyes.

Protecting the Geopark – its landscapes, nature, and culture – requires an extensive cooperation, which the four constituent municipalities on South Fyn have committed to. The goal is achieving the title of UNESCO Global Geopark, and thus becoming part of an international community of shared values, not only about geology, but also, and perhaps more importantly, about the connectedness of nature, geology, and human life. This knowledge – and its dissemination – is essential to sustainable development.

Geopark The South Fyn Archipelago tells the story of how culture emerges as a result of geography and geology. Earth’s geological development has shaped our world and, as a result, the opportunities and challenges presented to us throughout history. This story is more relevant now than ever before, as our climate is undergoing drastic changes. That’s why you need to go out and experience the Geopark: to feel this connection with your own senses. The following pages are filled with inspiration for the experiences waiting for you in the Geopark.

Facts About Geopark The South Fyn Archipelago

Population: 128,307

(as of 1 January 2020)

Area: 2,733 km2, distributed just about evenly between land and sea

Coastline: 551 km

Number of islands and islets: 55

International geosites: 3

Geological locations: 46

What is a Geopark?

A geopark is a region in which the unique geological features of the landscape have a significant impact on life in that region. One example could be a mountainous region where the local population is engaged in mining and extraction of minerals, another could be a region where the landscapes and living conditions are shaped by the presence of a volcano.

Geopark The South Fyn Archipelago aspires to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The aim of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to transform the 17 Global Goals set forth by the United Nations as well as UNESCO’s core values into actual local development and to promote the understanding of how human life is – and always has been – determined by nature.

UNESCO Global Geoparks focus on the geology, nature, and cultural history of specific locations and emphasise the connectedness of nature and human life: that we are all dependent on Earth’s resources, and that everyone is affected by climate change and responsible for creating sustainable development.

In a UNESCO Global Geopark, the local population contributes by supporting sustainable development through volunteering as well as formal partnerships, which in turn strengthens the local community.

In order to achieve the prestigious title, Geopark The South Fyn Archipelago must live up to a number of conditions regarding visibility, education, research, local foundation, and environmental protection.