Langkawi Geopark

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Langkawi Geopark is a geographical park inscribed by UNESCO that covers the entire Langkawi archipelago. The geopark status was according by UNESCO to Langkawi in 2007, making it the first and only geopark in Southeast Asia, and the 52nd under the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. The Langkawi Geopark is said to have the best exposed and most complete Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence in Malaysia, formed during the Cambrian age 450-550 million years ago.

Gunung Mat Cincang (6 June 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The geopark status covers the whole Langkawi archipelago, and the government agency entrusted to develop it is the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). LADA has earmarked three places in Langkawi for Geopark development. They are:

Mat Cincang Cambrian Geopark Forest
Covering 4274 hectares, the forest has the oldest geological formation in Malaysia, the Mat Cincang Formation, which includes Gunung Mat Cincang. The area also includes Teluk Datai, which has the oldest deposit of sand rest, and Pantai Pasir Tengkorak, which has fine examples of sedimentary structures.

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park Covering 2415 hectares, the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park is a landscape of limestone hills with a multitude of pinnacles of varying shapes and sizes. It encompasses three river basins, namely Kilim, Air Hangat and Kisap. Also included in the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park are the islands of Pulau Langgun and Pulau Tanjung Dendang. There is an extensive cave system within the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. Among the caves found here include Gua Tok Jangkit, Gua Teluk Dedap, Gua Cerita, Gua Teluk Udang, Gua Siam, Gua Buaya, Gua Tanjung Dendang, and the most important, Gua Kelawar. Within the mangrove forest of the area are some species of beetles that have not been identified yet.

Kilim Mangrove Forest (6 June 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park Covering 3850 hectares, the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park comprises the Setul Formation limestone outcrops. Within this area are a number of caves and Tasik Dayang Bunting, a freshwater lake created by the collapse of the roof of an underground cave. The area around Selat Dayang Bunting is also covered with mangrove forest.