Feasibility Study of the “Ilandagh” Geopark Creation in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijan)

Azerbaijan has a significant potential in terms of geoparkscreation. This had been established within the fulfillment of the “National Strategy for Protection and Sustainable Use of the Geosites in Azerbaijan Republic for 2009–2012”. As a result of the conducted studies, the cadaster of geosites of various types had been worked out. It included paleontological, stratigraphical, tectonic, geomorphological, mineralogical, petrographic, hydrogeological, and ancient-mining-geological geosites. Analysis of their spatial distribution by the cited categories as well as environment-oriented significance and correspondence to the well-known sites of historical, cultural, and recreational value had revealed the great potential of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to establish geoparksof a global reach that meet UNESCO requirements. Taking into consideration the abovementioned, it is proposed to organize the geoparkunder the principle of “three-in-one.” It assumes the union of geological, geomorphological, and archeological sites as well as the sites of historical and cultural heritage and of biodiversity into a single legal system.