Araripe Geopark
| Araripe Geopark | |
|---|---|
| Geoparque Araripe | |
Araripe-Apodi National Forest, also known as FLONA Araripe . | |
| Location | Ceará, Brazil |
| Nearest city | Crato, Juazeiro do Norte |
| Coordinates | 7°14′S 39°24′W / 7.233°S 39.400°W |
| Area | 3,796 km2 (1,466 sq mi) |
| Designation | UNESCO Global Geopark |
| Established | 2006 |
| Governing body | Government of the State of Ceará and Regional University of Cariri |
| Website | www.geoparkararipe.org.br |
The Araripe Geopark is located in the southern region of the state of Ceará and is the first geopark in the Americas and Brazil to be recognized by UNESCO. Covering an area of 3,796 km², the park spans the territories of six municipalities in Ceará—Barbalha, Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Missão Velha, Nova Olinda, and Santana do Cariri—and boasts a vast biological, geological, and paleontological heritage.
Located in the Cariri region, in the middle of the northeastern semi-arid zone, the Araripe Geopark stands out for the richness of its fossil discoveries. It holds the world's largest concentration of pterosaur remains, records of more than 20 orders of fossilized insects, and fossils of the first flowering plants. These elements make the region an important site for studying the history of life on Earth.
The success of the work carried out at the Araripe Geopark has even encouraged geological studies in other municipalities such as Nova Olinda, Crato, and Santana do Cariri, which are now also included in research efforts. Additionally, municipalities surrounding the Araripe Plateau, even those located in the state of Pernambuco, such as Araripina, Moreilândia, and Exu, are being explored. According to researcher Idalécio, it is also important to identify and recognize the geological value of these locations, which are part of the broader Araripe region.