Geopark Potential of Osmaniye Province

Abstract

Osmaniye province is a city with limited economic opportunities, which was heavily damaged by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, and where the rural population is predominant. Natural, cultural and geoarchaeological sites with potential for establishing a geopark in the province identifying geosites, protecting them and bringing them into geotourism will make significant economic, social and cultural contributions to the region. The landforms, caves, hot springs, castles and especially the current view of the Lalegölü volcano found in Osmaniye also reflect information about the creation of the world and the change it has undergone. These and similar features increase the potential of a UNESCO-tagged geopark area in the province. Projecting this potential and opening it to geotourism is important for the protection of the geoheritage in the region.