Manantiales Serranos: Uruguay’s Second UNESCO Global Geopark
On 15 April 2026, UNESCO designated “Manantiales Serranos” as a Global Geopark — Uruguay’s second, following “Grutas del Palacio” (2013).
Located in Lavalleja, southeast Uruguay, it covers over 2,000 km² and includes Minas, Solís de Mataojo and Villa Serrana. Its key ecosystems include: mountain forests, xerophytic communities and gallery forests.
In relation to Manantiales Serranos, Uruguayan author Juan José Morosoli once wrote: “The landscape of Minas goes beyond geography… mountains, rivers, waterfalls, hills… seek a loving geological coexistence.”
With this distinction, Uruguay is now among the few countries with more than one UNESCO Geopark.
Sources:
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay | "Designación como Geoparque Mundial de Manantiales Serranos"
Ministerio de Educación y Cultura de Uruguay | "Manantiales Serranos es declarado Geoparque Mundial de la Unesco"
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Manantiales Serranos Download image : Manantiales Serranos
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