Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is a geopark in northern Vietnam, on the Chinese border. It is a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network.
History
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark was became the 77th member of the Global Geoparks Network in 2010. It became the first Global Geopark in Vietnam, and the second in Southeast Asia.[1]
Territory
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is located in Hà Giang Province, the northernmost province in Vietnam. It takes up most of the area of four of the province's districts: Mèo Vạc, Đồng Văn, Yên Minh, and Quản Bạ. The 2,350 km² 2,350 km2 (907.3 sq mi) of the geopark roughly encapsulated the area of the Dong Van karst plateau. The average elevation within the geopark is 1400 to 1600 meters above sea level.[1]
Climate
The climate of the geopark varies depending on elevation, but the majority of the park has a temperate temperate climate with two seasons: rainy season and dry season. The annual mean temperature is 24 to 28 °C , but it may drop down to 5 °C in the winter.
Inhabitants
17 ethnic minority groups live within the geopark, such as the Hmong, Dao, Lô Lô, Tày, and Nùng.[1]
Geology
The oldest fossil found in the park was found at Lung Cu peak, and has been dated to 540 million years old.
Major Geosites
- Mã Pí Lèng Pass (Mèo Vạc district)
- Tu San Canyon (Mèo Vạc district), the deepest canyon in Vietnam. It has a depth of about 800 m, a length of 1.7km, and cliffs that slope 70° to 90°.
- Lũng Cú Peak (Đồng Văn district)
- Fairy bosom peaks (Quản Bạ district)
References
- 1 2 3 "Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark". GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK. Retrieved 16 November 2016.