National Geographic GeoTourism
About GeoTourism : Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. GeoTourism encompasses a range of travel including culture and heritage, history, food, nature, the outdoors, water, music and arts.
The GeoTourism program seeks to promote and enhance the areas natural, historic and cultural sites to domestic and international visitors who are seeking authentic travel experiences. The project will encourage sustainable economic development and promote long-term stewardship of the regions distinctive communities, businesses, working landscapes, and natural areas. USA Gulf States Geotourism Program: Alabama – Florida – Louisiana - Mississippi The gulf coast of the United States, known by many as the ‘southern crescent,’ includes Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and is a mixing-pot of unique natural sites, cultures, history and artistic expression. For centuries this region has attracted people, coming to the area for commerce, refuge, leisure or a myriad of other reasons and has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country. Each state is unique, but they are all related through a common geography, interlacing environments and history as well as the connection between travel experiences within the States. The USA Gulf States Geotourism Program seeks to capture and promote the culture and heritage of this extraordinary region through the voices and stories of the people that live there. As a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in early 2010, and to support efforts to rekindle visitation to the region, this project will help to capture the warm and welcoming persona of the gulf coast through an informative National Geographic Society co-branded print map, online interactive map and app that presents the sites and stories of the region in the words of its’ residents. Highlighting the Nature, Culture and Heritage of the USA Gulf Coast States The National Geographic Society is working with local organizations, businesses and residents to map the best of the USA Gulf States. We invite you to recommend historic, cultural and natural landmarks; events, attractions and activities; businesses, plantations and trails; artists, artisans and storytellers as well as local legends that capture the region’s unique character, heritage and beauty. Using your recommendations, the National Geographic Society will produce a Geotourism website, interactive app and print MapGuide to promote travel to the region that celebrates and sustains what is most distinctive about the USA Gulf States—its scenic landscapes, vibrant local communities, rich biological and cultural diversity and captivating history. About the Geotourism Program The National Geographic Society has worked with partners to develop similar Geotourism MapGuides in several other regions around the United States and the world. MapGuide projects have been completed in Greater Yellowstone, the Central Cascades (Oregon, Washington), the Crown of the Continent (Alberta, British Columbia, Montana), Guatemala, Montreal, Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Sonora), Romania, Norway, Honduras, Peru, Baja California, Rhode Island, Vermont, Newfoundland and Appalachia. The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 360 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. |
A few of the GeoTourism sites in Alabama
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