Black Country joins French wine region and Canadian cliffs to become UNESCO global geopark
Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton are now included on UNESCO's list.
Friday 10 July 2020 22:00, UK
The Black Country in the West Midlands has been officially declared a "global geopark" by UNESCO.
Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton join the likes of the Cliffs of Fundy in Canada, the French wine region of Beaujolais and Vietnam's Dak Nong, which also have geopark status.
The region has been campaigning for 10 years to be awarded the accolade, which recognises areas of international geological and cultural importance.
But on Friday, UNESCO's executive board confirmed the Black Country's place on its list of 162 global geoparks across 44 countries.
It gained its status because of the significant part it played in the industrial revolution and its unique cultural heritage, the organisation added.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said he hopes the new status will boost tourism.
He said: "We finally did it! This is a truly a momentous occasion for the Black Country. I couldn't be prouder of what has been achieved.
"Becoming a UNESCO global geopark really puts us on the world map and gives us the opportunity to tell our story to the world and celebrate the many sites and features that we are so fortunate to have."
Dudley and Wolverhampton's museums, the Sandwell Valley and Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve are among the 40 "geosites" across the Black Country that have already been selected by UNESCO, with more to be added in the coming months and years.
The special status will help promote the region's sustainable development, geological heritage and tourism profile, UNESCO added.
The term Black Country dates back to the 1800s and refers to the soot and coal seam that came from the heavily-industrialised area.