The Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark is part of the regions of Ferrol and Ortegal, in the north of the province of the Autonomous Community of Galicia (Spain). It has a total area of 799,72 km²  including 631 km² land area and 168,72 km² marine area. It covers seven municipalities that are home to 27,683 inhabitants.

The territory is formed by low mountain chains that, in the north, lead to a very steep coast, with spectacular cliffs over 600 metres high. Also noteworthy are the rias, islets, coves and extensive sandy beaches, some associated with coastal lagoons, with a high biodiversity. Most of the geological formations are related to the closure of the Rheic Ocean during the Variscan Orogeny. It is a true geological showcase of the interior of our planet.

Celebrating Earth heritage

Take a journey into the interior of our planet by discovering rocks that emerged from the depths of the Earth almost 400 million years ago in what is now Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark. This geopark provides some of the most complete evidence in Europe of the collision that caused Pangea, a process known as the Variscan Orogeny. Most of the rocks in this geopark were brought to the surface by the collision of two continents, Laurussia and Gondwana, which would eventually join the supercontinent Pangaea about 350 million years ago. When this collision occurred, these rocks were situated in the Earth’s upper mantle, at a depth of more than 70 km. The copper exploited in the geopark’s mines originated from intense thermal activity on the seabed, where volcanic chimneys – called fumaroles – released gases and minerals at a high temperature which then cooled upon contact with water.

Sustaining local communities

Human groups have been adapting to the environment since ancient times. In this area there are traces of human activity dating back more than 6,000 years. Throughout the territory there is a rich cultural and built heritage from the Middle Ages onwards.

The local economy is dominated tourism, as well as an important fishing sector and agricultural activities such as horticulture and fruit growing. These occupations are highly seasonal. The local gastronomy, highlighting high-quality local products such as fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, dairy products, honey, and more, holds an important place in the culture and is a testament to the importance of the link with the natural heritage.

There are many festivals that connect directly with traditional practices or new initiatives: the International Festival of the Celtic World of Ortigueira, the Festival Irmandiño and the rural fairs in Moeche and San Sadurniño, the maritime processions of the seafaring towns, Cariño, Cedeira and Ortigueira-, the recovery of the Samaín festivity in Cedeira and the “mallas” (cereal threshing in Cerdido), the international surfing event at the Pantín Classic of Valdoviño, and many more.