Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Use of Website and GIS Databases
for Enhancement of Geosites in Algeria
L'utilisation du Web et des bases de donn
es
é
SIG pour la valorisation des g
osites en Alg
rie
é
é
"
!
A. Bendaoud, M.C. Chabou, O. Kolli, O. Bouzidi, S. Djemaï, and H. Kaabeche
Abstract
Algeria is the largest country in the African continent. It contains a large number of sites with
geological and geomorphological interest but, so far, the Algerian geological heritage is poorly
known and needs to be protected and enhanced for education, tourism and scienti
c purposes.
A
project has been initiated to compile an inventory of those major geosites with
exceptional geological features in Algeria, to create a GIS database, and to promote Algerian
geoheritage using the new technologies of information and communication. This database will
be open access and will be bene
“
GeoAl
”
cial to the public and researchers. The database also will
allow users, through maps, to geologically explore the entirety of Algeria, identifying and
investigating important sites with all the available information, including photos and scienti
c
literature. The database will evolve gradually with the inventory and will also be used as a tool
for the identi
cation and the promotion of areas with high geological potential that could be
managed as geoparks. These later areas constitute one of the most appropriate instruments for
both protection of natural resources and creation of economic activities. Ideally, the database
will bene
t the development and the promotion of geotourism as a means for sustainable
development in different remote areas in Algeria, and of craft and small businesses through the
creation of activities necessary for the functioning of the concept.
R
é
sum
é
L
'
Alg
é
rie est le plus grand pays africain et contient un grand nombre de sites ayant un int
é
r
ê
t
g
é
ologiques et g
é
omorphologiques. Cependant, ce g
é
opatrimoine est peu connu et n
é
cessite
d
'ê
tre prot
é
g
é
et valoris
é
pour des buts scienti
ques, touristiques et
é
ducatifs. Le projet
“
G
é
oAl
”
a
é
t
é
initi
é
pour inventorier les g
é
osites alg
é
riens montrant des caract
é
ristiques
g
é
ologiques exceptionnelles, cr
é
er une base de donn
é
es sous SIG et promouvoir
le
é
é
'
g
opatrimoine alg
rien en utilisant
les nouvelles technologies de l
information et de la
communication. Cette base de donn
é
es sera
à
acc
è
s libre et b
é
n
é
ciera aux chercheurs et au
à
'
é
public. Elle permettra aux utilisateurs,
travers des cartes, d
explorer g
ologiquement
