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