GEOSITES AS A POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM – OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT SITES IN ESWATINI (FORMERLY SWAZILAND)

Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites

article

Thomas SCHLÜTER¹  Andreas SCHUMANN² 

[1] Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Planning, University of Swaziland;Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, Makerere University

关键词: Eswatini (Swaziland);    geoheritage;    geosites;    geology;    geomorphology;    archaeology;    mining;    geo-tourism.;   

DOI  :  10.30892/gtg.22222-309

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Editura Universitatii din Oradea / University of Oradea Publishing House

【 摘 要 】

Despite being one of the smallest countries in Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is characterized by many locations, which are due to their geoscientific significance to be termed as geosites, and which are here in an overview presented and briefly explained. Each of them can be assigned to a specific scientific approach, e.g. as a landscape, a geological, a geomorphologic, an archaeological (prehistoric) or a mining heritage site. Eswatini yields remarkable landscapes like the Mahamba Gorge and the Sibebe Monolith, it exhibits worldwide one of the largest in granite formed caves (Gobholo), and possibly the oldest dated rocks in Africa (Piggs Peak gneisses), as well as beautiful and scientifically relevant rock painting sites (Nsangwini, Sandlane and Hholoshini) and three abandoned mines in the Barberton Greenstone Belt (Forbes, Ngwenya and Bulembu). The latter have contributed largely to the infrastructural development of the country. The geotouristic value of the respective sites is evaluated and commented, and it is assumed that in future these and other, here not yet mentioned geosites, may contribute to income generating processes for the country and the local communities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND