THE vast expanse of the Dordogne river basin has been recognised by Unesco as an area of special importance for research into sustainable development.
The Bassin de la Dordogne has been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which now includes 598 reserves in 117 countries.
The Dordogne’s catchment area provides an example of great biodiversity, from mountainous landscapes to one of the biggest estuaries in Europe.
Unesco highlighted how the river played an important role in the economy due to the tourism industry being based around the Dordogne’s heritage and natural landscape, which works alongside agriculture and forest exploitation.