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, Ceará, Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Missão Velha, Nova Olinda, Ceará, Nova Olinda, and Santana do Cariri—and boasts a vast biological, geological, and paleontological heritage. Located in the Cariris, 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, Ceará, Nova Olinda, Crato, Ceará, 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, Pernambuco, 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.

History and Recognition

Initially, part of the territory that now forms the Geopark was already protected as an Environmental Protection Area—the Araripe Plateau—since 1997. This area, situated on a plateau between 700 and 900 meters in altitude, is located near the border of Ceará with the states of Piauí and Pernambuco. In September 2006, the region joined the Global Geoparks Network after being recognized by UNESCO as a site of significant geological and paleontological heritage. This pioneering recognition spurred the creation of other UNESCO Global Geoparks in Brazil, which currently has five geoparks spread across the South and Northeast regions.

Recovery of Stolen Fossils

In 2013, 998 fossils of great scientific and historical value were stolen from the Araripe Geopark region in Ceará and subsequently smuggled to France. The material, dating back to the Cretaceous period, includes fossils of fish, insects, birds, plants, and pterosaurs—flying reptiles that lived over 100 million years ago. This paleontological heritage was seized by French customs authorities at the port of Le Havre in 2013, and those responsible for the trafficking were later identified and arrested in Brazil. After more than eight years of diplomatic and law enforcement efforts, a joint operation between the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), the French diplomatic corps, and the relevant authorities resulted in the repatriation of the fossils. On May 24, 2022, the first shipment—nearly two tons of fossils—began its journey back to Brazil, marking the start of the restitution process. Brazilian Minister of Citizenship Ronaldo Vieira Bento represented the Brazilian Government at the ceremony held in Le Havre, emphasizing the importance of repatriating these pieces, considering them a Cultural heritage, cultural and scientific heritage of Brazil and Human, humanity. The Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, Brazilian ambassador to France, Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra, appointed in 2019 by Jair Bolsonaro, also highlighted the cooperation between the two countries in ensuring the success of this restitution. These fossils are essential for paleontological studies, as the Araripe region is recognized as Brazil's main fossil deposit from the Cretaceous period and the world's largest pterosaur fossil site. The recovery of these fossils also symbolizes the enforcement of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which aims to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The recovered material will be exhibited at the Plácido Cidade Nuvens Paleontology Museum, located in the Araripe Geopark in Santana do Cariri, Ceará, enriching the museum’s collection and promoting scientific and cultural education in the region.

Geological and Paleontological Heritage

The Araripe region is renowned for its deposits of Cretaceous fossils. Among the most significant discoveries are: * Pterosaurs: The geopark hosts the largest concentration of remains of these flying reptiles, contributing to the understanding of the evolution of winged dinosaurs. * Fossilized Insects: With traces representing over 20 different orders, the insects from the Araripe Basin date back approximately 110 million years, offering valuable data on the biodiversity of the Cretaceous period. * Plant Fossils: The well-preserved remains of early flowering plants illustrate the initial interactions between insects and vegetation, crucial for understanding ecosystem evolution. These discoveries enhance the region's scientific value, serving as a foundation for global research in paleontology and geology.

Geosites and Rock Formations

The Araripe Geopark has 11 geosites open to visitors, spread across the six municipalities it encompasses. A geosite is a location of scientific, cultural, and/or environmental significance, internationally recognized for its natural richness.

Juazeiro do Norte

* Colina do Horto

Crato, Ceará, Crato

* Batateiras

Barbalha

* Riacho do Meio * Arajara * Mirante do Caldas Além dos geossítios, o parque abriga diversas formações rochosas de interesse, tais como:

Nova Olinda, Ceará, Nova Olinda

* Ponte de Pedra * Pedra Cariri

Santana do Cariri

* Pontal da Santa Cruz * Parque dos Pterossauros

Missão Velha

* Cachoeira de Missão Velha * Floresta Petrificada

Socioeconomic and Cultural Impact

The Araripe Geopark plays a significant role in the economy and culture of the municipalities within its territory. Key benefits include: * Sustainable Tourism: The park attracts both national and international tourists, generating jobs and improving local infrastructure. * Environmental Education: Educational projects and partnerships with academic institutions raise awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources and geological heritage. * Cultural Appreciation: Endemic species, such as the Araripe manakin, Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) - a bird that has become a cultural symbol of the region—strengthen local identity and foster a deeper connection between the community and the environment.

Media Popularization

The Araripe Geopark has also gained visibility in the media and popular culture. The Brazilian science fiction novel "Realidade Oculta", written by Tito Aureliano, incorporates elements of the park's dinosaurs, pterosaurs, fish, and plants, helping to spread knowledge about the region. Additionally, the social media movement fueled by the #UbirajaraBelongstoBr hashtag has heightened public interest in the paleontological significance of the Araripe Basin, particularly regarding the fossil of the dinosaur Ubirajara jubatus.

References

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External links

Araripe geopark
on UNESCO website Global Geoparks Network members Geoparks in Brazil Geology of Brazil Protected areas of Ceará