Geosite database of the High Gerecse Hills (Hungary): with cartographic and GIS-based methodologies

Abstract. Geotourism is a branch of tourism that primarily presents the inanimate and spectacular objects of nature that sustainably have scientific and tourism significance. Although in Hungary, activities connected to it are not widely spread yet, the sector is dynamically developing. Dissemination of geotourism values is primarily concentrated in geoparks. The main goal of these institutions is to preserve and popularize geoscientific (geological, geomorphological, soil, landscape) values. We consider all inanimate geoscientific, social, cultural, or religious values as geosites, which carry scientific content in an easily interpretable and spectacular way for visitors. Geosites are the most important objects of these organizations. When founding a new geopark, the first step is to identify geosites by using cartographic and database materials and with some additional fieldwork. In our research, we conducted a survey of this kind in a geotouristically undiscovered, midmountain area in Hungary. After analogue and digital data collection, we identified all the geologically valuable objects in 16-day-long fieldwork. A digital Leaflet-based database has also been prepared encompassing the results of the field survey, which can be a basis for further research and infrastructural development.