Geological Park Iskar-Panega is an UNESCO-run Geopark in Northern Bulgaria, located 3 km south of the municipal centre Lukovit. It consists of two sections: the Karlukovo Karst Complex (43°11′14″N 24°4′22″E / 43.18722°N 24.07278°E / 43.18722; 24.07278) lies in the valley of the Iskar River, while the Roadside Landscape Park "Panega" (43°11′25″N 24°9′8″E / 43.19028°N 24.15222°E / 43.19028; 24.15222) is at the Zlatna Panega valley. Started in 2006, it became the first geopark in Bulgaria, and created temporary employment for 20 previously unemployed people. Another economic effect was that the number of overnights at main lodging facilities in Lukovit increased by 40%, and the number of visits to the city and region rose significantly.^[1]

Geopark Iskar-Panega Project was implemented with the financial support of the PHARE Program, (Development of Bulgarian Ecotourism). The main objective of the program was to provide technical and financial support for improvement of the quality of the priority sector of ecotourism in Bulgaria and contribute to raising its competitiveness.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• List of Geoparks
• International Network of Geoparks

[edit] External links

• http://geopark-bg.com/e_index.html The Geopark's official website.

v • d • e Municipality of Lukovit Capital: Lukovit Villages Aglen (Ъглен) · Bezhanovo (Бежаново) · Belentsi (Беленци) · Daben (Дъбен) · Dermantsi (Дерманци) · Karloukovo (Карлуково) · Pechterna (Пещерна) · Petrevene (Петревене) · Roumyantsevo (Румянцево) · Todoritchene (Тодоричене) · Toros (Торос) Landmarks Zlatna Panega River · Geological Park Iskar-Panega Culture Lukovit treasure Notable people

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