UNESCO has just named a huge part of land along the Bay of Fundy coastline in New Brunswick as the world’s largest Geopark.

UNESCO is short for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO is one of 18 specialized agencies within the United Nations System and was established on November 16, 1945, as much of the world was emerging from the devastation of the Second World War.

Canada was one of the 20 founding members. UNESCO was formed to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace by promoting collaboration among nations through education, the sciences, culture, and communication and information.

UNESCO is best known for World Heritage Sites and have more recently been naming areas under the Geopark status.

Stonehammer Geopark, which will include Fundy National Park is the latest and largest addition to a list of 77 geoparks in 24 countries around the world.

The new park covers 2,500 square kilometres across southern New Brunswick and stretches from Lepreau Falls to Norton, Saint John and Grand Bay-Westfield to St. Martins.

The United Nations Education, Scientific, Cultural Organization awarded Stonehammer Geopark the distinction of becoming North America's first geopark at a conference in Greece late Sunday.

Construction workers at a nursing home project in Saint John found a 500-million-year-old rock formation called a hinge helping solidify the Geopark designation.

Also back in 2008 scientists discovered 318-million-year-old reptile footprints in rock slabs near St. Martins.

The new designation is expected to boost tourism to New Brunswick and more specifically the area.