Geotourism in the Middle East

Preface
References
Contents
Editors and Contributors
Introduction and Setting the Scene
1 Geotourism—A Global Overview
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Geology and Tourism
1.1.2 Scales of Geotourism
1.1.3 Geotourism’s Diverse Settings
1.2 Geodiversity, Geoheritage and Geoconservation
1.2.1 Geodiversity
1.2.2 Geoheritage
1.2.3 Geoconservation
1.3 Geotourism
1.3.1 Geotourism’s Interpretive Elements
1.4 Geotourism’s Global Growth
1.5 Geotourism in the Middle East
1.5.1 Iran
1.5.2 Egypt
1.5.3 Iraq
1.5.4 Jordan
1.5.5 Kuwait
1.5.6 Morocco
1.5.7 Saudi Arabia
1.5.8 Sultanate of Oman
1.5.9 United Arab Emirates
1.5.10 Yemen
1.6 Outline of the Book
References
2 The Geotourism Potential of Sand and Dunes—From Theory to Practice
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Global Occurrence of Sand and Dune Landscapes
2.3 Origin of Sandy Landscapes—A Global Perspective
2.3.1 Planetary Scale Forces
2.3.2 Aeolian V In-Situ Origins of Sand Dominated Landscapes—A Global Overview
2.4 Sand in the Middle East
2.5 Connecting the Tourist with Sand and Dunes
2.6 Conclusion
References
3 The Significance of Geotourism Through the Lens of Geoethics
Abstract
3.1 Introduction: The Contribution of Geotourism to Address the Ecological Crisis
3.2 The Vision of Geoethics at the Basis of the Geotourism Experience
3.3 Geodiversity, Geoheritage, Geoconservation and Geotourism Through the Lens of Geoethical Thought
3.4 Towards Responsible Geotourism
3.5 Conclusions: Significance and Function of Geotourism for Human Life
References
4 Geotourism in the Middle East
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Geotourism in the Middle East
4.3 Characteristics of Geotourism in the Middle East Countries
4.4 Challenges for Geotourism Development in the Middle East
4.5 Geotourism Business and Industry in the Middle East
4.6 Geotourists in the Middle East
4.7 Conclusion
References
Country Case Studies
5 Geotourism in Egypt
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Geodiversity and Geoheritage Sites in Egypt
5.3 A Case Study of Egypt
5.4 A Case Study of Jebel Qatrani
5.4.1 The Geotourism Features in Jebel Qatrani
5.4.1.1 Geological Diversity
5.4.1.2 Cracks and Folds
5.4.1.3 Rocks
5.4.1.4 Colour Mountain
5.4.1.5 Widan El-Faras and Basalt Mine
5.4.1.6 The World’s Oldest Road
5.4.1.7 Open Air Museum and the Petrified Forest
Arsinoitherium
Aegyptopithecus
5.4.2 The Geological History (Geoheritage) in Jebel Qatrani
5.5 A Case Study of Wadi Al-Hitan
5.5.1 The Geotourism Features in Wadi Al-Hitan
5.5.2 The Geological History (Geoheritage) in Wadi Al-Hitan
5.6 A Case Study of Hassana Dome
5.6.1 The Geotourism Features in Hassana Dome
5.6.1.1 Geological History
5.6.1.2 Closed Museum
5.7 A Case Study of Petrified Forest
5.7.1 The Geotourism Features in Petrified Forest
5.7.1.1 Geological Diversity
5.7.1.2 Fossilized Trees and Fossils
5.7.2 The Geological History (Geoheritage) in Petrified Forest
5.8 A Case Study of Wadi Degla
5.8.1 The Geotourism Features in Wadi Degla
5.8.1.1 Geological Diversity
5.8.1.2 Caves
5.8.1.3 Rocks and Mountain
5.8.1.4 Fossils
5.8.2 The Geological History (Geoheritage) Wadi Degla
References
6 Geotourism in Iran
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Iran’s Geodiversity
6.3 History of Geotourism Activities in Iran
6.4 Geotourism Potentials and Attractions of Iran
6.4.1 Sedimentary Phenomena
6.4.2 Erosion Phenomena
6.4.3 Magmatism and Metamorphism Phenomena
6.4.4 Structural Phenomena
6.4.5 Geological Specimens
6.4.6 Engineering Geology Phenomena
6.4.7 Cultural Geology
6.4.8 Geological Landscapes
6.5 Beneficiaries
6.6 Development of Geotourism in Iran
6.6.1 Content Production
6.6.2 Education
6.6.3 Using Legal Protections for Geoconservation
6.7 Opportunities and Threats for Geotourism in Iran
6.7.1 Opportunities
6.7.2 Threats
6.8 Suggestions and Procedures, the Future Path
References
7 Residents’ Perceptions of Geotourism in Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Iran
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Geotourism in Iran
7.3 Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark
7.4 Geotourism on Qeshm Island
7.5 Research Aims
7.6 Findings
7.6.1 Economic Impacts
7.6.2 Socio-Cultural Impacts
7.6.3 Environmental Impacts
7.7 Residents’ Attitudes Towards Geotourism Impacts in Qeshm Island
7.8 Conclusion
References
8 Geotourism in Light of Potential Geoheritage and Geoparks in Iraq
Abstract
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Geo-Tourism and Community Ecotourism
8.3 Potential Geoparks in Iraq
8.3.1 Rutba Group
8.3.1.1 Ga’ara Depression
8.3.1.2 Tal Al-Nsr
8.3.1.3 Um Chamin Depression
8.3.1.4 Mines
8.3.1.5 Distinctive Geomorphological Features
8.4 Heet-Kubaysa Group
8.4.1 Sulfurous Springs and Bitumen Seepages
8.4.2 Small Sabkhas Geobotany
8.4.3 Archaeological Sites
8.5 Baghdadi-Hadetha Group
8.5.1 Al-Baghdadi and Euphrates River
8.5.2 Salman Roza Sinkhole
8.5.3 Morphotectonic Features
8.5.4 Wadi Hajlan
8.5.5 Oligocene Coral Reef
8.6 Heet-Ramadi Group
8.6.1 Bitumen Seepages
8.6.2 River Terraces and Mines
8.6.3 Habbania Lake and the Sulfurous Springs of Rahaliya and Ain Al-Tamur
8.7 Karbala-Najaf Group
8.7.1 AL-Razzaza Lake
8.7.2 Sulfurous Springs and Artesian Wells
8.7.3 Abu-Jir Fault
8.7.4 Tar Al-Sayed and Tar Al-Najaf
8.7.5 Al-Akhaider Palace
8.8 Al-Muthana Group
8.8.1 Sawa Lake, Sinkhole
8.9 Marshes of Southern Iraq
8.10 Mosul Geosite
8.11 Summary, Conservation, and Management
References
9 Geotourism in Jordan–The Potential for Developing Geotrails in the Wadis
Abstract
9.1 Introduction–Geotourism and Geotourists
9.2 Geotourism in Jordan
9.3 Potential Geotrails in Jordan–First Conception
9.3.1 Geotrails and Geosites
9.3.2 Classification of Geotrails
9.3.3 Geeotrails in Jordan
9.4 The Geotourist Potential of Wadis in Jordan
9.4.1 Wadi Rum in the Southern Basement Paleozoic Sandstone Area Province
9.4.2 Wadis in the Northern Highlands East of the Rift Province
9.5 Life of Wadis–Settlement Systems and Biodiversity
9.6 Conclusion
References
10 Geotourism in the Sultanate of Oman: Samail Ophiolite Geosites–A Concept of Sustainable Geotourism
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Geotourism in Oman
10.3 Geological Heritage of the Samail Ophiolite
10.3.1 The Ophiolite Stratigraphy and Important Geosites
10.3.1.1 Mantle Sequence
10.3.1.2 The Moho
Geosite: Moho Section of Wadi Abyad
10.3.1.3 The Moho Transition Zone (MTZ)
Geosite: Maqsad-Mahram Mantle Diapir
Chromite Ores
Listwanites
10.3.2 Crustal Sequence
10.3.2.1 Gabbro
Geosite: Layered Gabbro Outcrop at Somerah
Geosite: Deep Layered Gabbro Sills Below the Moho
Geosite: Wadi Haymiliah-A Cross Section Through the Plutonic Crust
10.3.2.2 Plagiogranite Intrusions
Geosite: Plagiogranite Intrusions at Somerah Village
10.3.2.3 Sheeted Dyke Complex
Geosite: Wadi Sarami Sheeted Dykes
10.3.2.4 Pillow Lavas
Geosite: The Geotime Pillow Lava, Wadi Jizi
Copper Mines
10.3.3 Hawasina Nappes and Sumeini Nappes
10.3.4 Oman Exotics
10.3.5 The Metamorphic Sole
10.3.6 The Post-nappes Units
10.4 Tourist Attractions of the Samail Ophiolite
10.5 Cultural and Historical Elements
10.6 Geotourism, Geo-Education and Infrastructures
10.7 Conclusion
References
11 Geotourism in Qatar
Abstract
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Qatar’s Physical and Geographic Characteristics
11.3 Qatar’s Efforts to Promote Geotourism
11.3.1 The Geotourism Industry in Qatar
11.3.2 Qatar’s National Tourism Advancement Vision 2030
11.3.3 Geotourism and the World Cup
11.3.4 Qatar National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015–2025
11.3.5 Challenges Facing Geotourism in Qatar
11.4 Geological and Geomorphological Features as Geotourism Attractions in Qatar
11.4.1 Distinctive Desert Landforms
11.4.2 Distinctive Marine Geological and Geomorphological Landforms
11.5 Suggestions for the Development of Geotourism in Qatar
References
12 Geotourism in Yemen
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Tourism During Wartime
12.3 Yemen Natural Attractions
12.3.1 Geotourism: The Missing Link
12.3.2 Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
13 The Role of the Geologic and the Geomorphologic Factors in the Formation of Some Geotourism Sites of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
13.1 Aims and Objectives
13.2 Methods of Study
13.3 General Introduction
13.4 Geotourism Guide
13.5 Regional Geology of Saudi Arabia
13.6 Description of Geotourism Sites
13.6.1 Tabuk-Sharma (Neom, the Line)
13.6.2 Wadi Al Disah
13.6.3 Al Ula-Madaen Salih
13.6.4 Tuwaiq Mountains
13.6.5 Wadi Hanifah-Al Dereiyah
13.6.6 Heet Cave
13.6.7 Wadi Fatima
13.6.8 Al Taif
13.6.9 Wadi Lajab Area
13.6.10 Hima Area
13.7 Summary and Conclusions
References
14 Assessing Caves for Geotourism Development—An Example from Türkiye Using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Based Multi-Criteria Approach
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 The Study Area and the Caves
14.3 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Analysis Parameters
14.4 Method
14.5 Findings
14.6 Conclusions
References
15 Geotourism in Palestine
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Geography of Palestine
15.2.1 Location of Palestine
15.2.2 Climate and Topography
15.2.3 Biodiversity of Palestine
15.3 Population and Demographic
15.4 Stages of Palestinian History
15.4.1 Contemporary History of Palestine
15.5 Tourism in Palestine
15.5.1 Tourism in West Bank and Gaza Strip in Period of Transition: 1993–2000
15.5.2 Palestinian Tourism Strategy
15.5.3 Current Situation of the Palestinian Tourism
15.5.4 Most Religious Places in Palestine
15.5.4.1 The Palestinian Culture and Heritage
15.6 Geotourism in Palestine
15.6.1 Jordan Valley Region
15.6.1.1 Wadi El Qelt Valley
15.6.2 Eastern Slopes
15.6.3 Central Highlands Region
15.6.4 Semi-Coastal Region
15.6.5 Coastal Region (Gaza Strip)
15.7 Conclusion
References
16 Geotourism in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE)
Abstract
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Geotourism in the UAE
16.3 Potential Geotourism Products in the UAE
16.3.1 Desert Tourism
16.3.2 Mountain Tourism
16.3.3 Marine Geotourism
16.3.4 Wetlands
16.4 Why Geotourism is Significant for the UAE
16.5 Barriers for Geotourism Development in the UAE
16.6 Geotourism Development in the UAE
16.6.1 Developing Geotourism Supply
16.7 Developing Geotourism Demand
16.8 Conclusion
References
Conclusion
17 Conclusion—The Future of Geotourism in the Middle East
Abstract
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Middle East Country Case Studies
17.2.1 Egypt
17.2.2 Iraq
17.2.3 Iran
17.2.4 Jordan
17.2.5 Kuwait
17.2.6 The Sultanate of Oman
17.2.7 Palestine
17.2.8 Saudi Arabia
17.2.9 Qatar
17.2.10 Türkiye
17.2.11 United Arab Emirates
17.2.12 Yemen
17.3 Conclusions
References