Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

Dept of geography-Zanjan university-Zanja-Iran

Abstract

Zanjan province with 22164 square kilometer is situated   in North West of Iran. From geological point of view is a part of Central Iran and in geomorphologic classification it is identified as North West geomorphologic unit. Volcanic formations, intrusive granite rocks, major faults, Miocene evaporative basins and karst topography resulted in a variety of geosites in this province. Mountains and interval  plains are stretching from north west  to south east direction and drained by Ghezel Ozan, its tributaries, Abharrud and Khrarud Rivers. Ghezel Ozan pours into Caspian Sea and others goes to Hoz-e-Soultan Lake in Central Iran. The highest point in province is 3332 m above sea level in Belghaise Mountain and the lowest (250 m) located near to Sefidrood reservoir. Karstic caves such as Katalekhor, Zarin and Kharmanesar caves in south east and north east of the province, Chehr-Abad historical salt mine (where six salt men were discovered in north west of the province), tens of fingers of god and butte in conglomerate formations in Mahneshan and Angoran districts, badlands in Tarom area and west of zanjan city, tens of diapir domes in Ghezel Ozan watershed, mushrooms in granite rocks, and several hot springs are examples of this geosites. For inventory and analyses of these geosites in field work, topographical and geological maps of different scales and Global Positioning System (GPS) were used. Some of these geosites can have national and international importance. The Province is thus having very favorable conditions for geotourism development.

Keywords

References
Buckley, R., 2003- Environmental inputs and outputs in ecotourism:geotourism with a positive triple bottom line? Journal of Ecotourism, Vol.2, No1, 2003.
Dingwall, P., Weighell, T., & Badman, T., 2005-Geological world heritage: A global framework, Protected Area Programme, IUCN September 2005.
Drandaki, I.T. & Galanakis, D., 2001-Workshop geological heritage conservation in south-eastern European countries, 1st edition 2001, ProGEO, UNESCO, IUGS.
Goudie, A.S., 2004 - Encyclopedia of geomorphology, edited by: A.S. Goudie, First published 2004, Routledge Ltd.
Gray, M., 2004 - Geodiversity: valuing and conserving a biotic nature, John Wiley & sons, Ltd.
Gray, M., 2005- Geodiversity and geoconservation: An international perspective, Salt Lake City annual meeting, October 16-19, 2005.
Hofman, T., 2006- Thesen zum thema geotourismus,international workshop Karlsruhe,Geopark and geotourism research, edited by, Joachim Vogt and Andreas Megeerile,Regional science research 31.

Joyce, E.B., 2005- Geomorphological Sites and the new Geotourism in Australia.

Joyce, E.B., 2006- Geological heritage of Australia: selecting the best for geosites and world heritage, and telling the story for geotourism and geopark, AESC2006, Melbourne, Australia.
Khoshraftar, R. & Binafar, S., 2007- Important Geosites in Zanjan Province and Geotourism (North West of Iran), proceedings of the second international  symposium on development within geoparks, Lushan,China, June 12 – 15, 2007.
Penn, R., 2006- Welsh forest becomes latest geopark, www.geographical.co.uk.
Progeo News,(1999), Geodiversity in The Nordic countries.
Reynard, E. & Lugon, R., 2004- The assessment of geocutltural of geosites within the geosite inventory of canton Valais (Switzerland), Abstract, 32nd IGC - Florence, 2004.
Stueve, A., Cook, M., Suzanne, D. & Dawn, D., 2002-The Geotourism Study: Phase I Executive Summary, The Travel Industry Association of America and National Geographic Traveler. The Research Department of the Travel Industry Association of America Washington, D.C.
Torfason, H., 2005- Geological heritage and afforestation, Conference Effects of afforestation on ecosystems, landscape and rural development, Abstract, Iceland June 18-22, 2005.
Turner, S., Creaser, P. & Mcknight, J., 2006- celebrating planet earth-UNESCO-assisted geoparks in the Australasian-Pacific region,AESC2006,Melbourn,Australia.
UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, 2006- Guideline and criteria for national geoparks seeking UNESCOS assistance to join the global geoparks network.
www.climbing.ir
Zhao Xun, Z. T., 2002- the socio-economic benefits of establishing national geoparks in China, Episodes vol. 25, no 1.
Zouros, N., 2004-The European geoparks network, Geological heritage protection and local development, Episodes, Vol. 27, no. 3.