Azerbaijan is distinguished by a great variety of geoheritage sites, including those of a regional and global importance. In 1982, 37 geosites were included in the country’s first of protected nature monuments. In 2009-2012, special National Action Plan was implemented, resulting in the development of an extended inventory of 484 geosites of global, regional, national and local importance. As some groups of the identified geosites are located within relatively small geographic areas with outstanding natural, cultural and historical heritage, the most promising way of organizing their conservation is the establishment of geological parks. As of now, there are 6 areas in Azerbaijan, characterized by high potential for the organization of a geopark. One of such areas is the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic – a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan, characterized by exceptionally rich geological and biological diversity, as well as representative cultural-historical heritage. In 2020-2022, Azerbaijani specialists have studied the feasibility of integrating most important geosites of the province within the framework of a single Ilandagh geopark which resulted in the development of a detailed inventory of 171 rare and unique geosites. The territory of the planned geopark is also known as one of the key biodiversity areas of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus ecoregion. As to cultural and historical heritage, there are 66 historical and 108 archaeological monuments, including 2 historical and 28 archaeological monuments of global importance. All these factors make Ilandagh one of the best places in Azerbaijan to create a global geopark.

Keywords: geoconservation, geosite, geopark, geology, geomorphology, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan

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