10 Places to know about before they disappear

Places that disappear? Seriously? Yes, some nice and beautiful places are disappearing within the next years (5-100). To be honest, I was doubting to share these places, because some of them are seriously threatened by the rise of tourism which is destroying the ecosystems, but still I decided to introduce you to these places and let it up to you if you want to be a ‘real traveler’ or one of the tourists visiting these places.

1. Galapagos islands

The Galapagos island are an archipelago of volcanic islands of Ecuador. Tourism is increasing every year. The natural ecosystem is being destroyed, because of large cruise ships, racketeers and new hotels and restaurants. The island is known for its many islets, small volcano islands, 40 species of fish and more than 700 plant species. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

2. The Taj mahal

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in the Indian city of Agra. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and since then, a popular tourist sight. Air pollution is destroying the façade and the river Jumna is destroying its foundations. It is expected to close in five years.

3. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a wilderness area in the Rocky Mountains. It is known for backpacking, cycling and camping. The park is home to more than 250 species of birds, more than 1000 plant species and 60 animal species. Due to the climate change, the glaciers are melting and the ecosystem is shrimping. Most of the glaciers are expected to be disappeared in less than 20 years.

4. The Congo Basin

The Congo Basin is a basin of the Congo River, located in west Africa. It basin extends across seven nations and is world’s 2^nd largest rainforest after the Amazon. Due to mining and illegal logging, the tropical rainforest is getting destroyed. It is expected that a big part of this basin will be disappeared in less than 25 years.

5. Madagascar

Madagascar is a huge island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. It is home to an abundance of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. It has more than 14000 plant species, over 300 species of birds and over 100 species of fish. Madagascar is seriously threatened by logging and poaching. It is expected that most of Madagascar will be disappeared in less than 35 years.

6. The Alps

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe and crosses eight countries; Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Due to global warming, the alpine glaciers are melting and it is expected that most of the alpine glaciers will be disappeared in less than 40 years.

7. The dead sea

The Dead Sea is a Salt Lake whose banks are more than 400 meter below sea level, the lowest point on earth. It is the only sea on earth where you can float on the water, because of its salt level. The Jordan river is the lake’s only source for water. Since surrounding countries tap every year more and more water from this river, the Dead Sea shrinks every year. The expected time remaining for the Dead Sea is less than 50 years.

8. Venice

Venice, one of the most beautiful cities from Europe, is also about to disappear. The city is built on more than 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Venice is expected to be completely disappeared in 70 years. Due to the climate change, Venice’s vulnerability to sea and groundwater level change is extremely serious. For example, 100 years ago St. Mark’s Square flooded around nine time per year and now it is inundated with water 100 times per year. Some buildings are already eroded by water.

You can read more about Venice in this post: Sightseeing in almost disappeared Venice.

9. The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef of Australia, is the largest living thing on Earth, and the only visible living thing from space. The Reef is home to countless species of fish, dolphins, sharks, turtles, starfish and coral. It is being destroyed by tropical hurricanes, climate change and water pollution. The expected time remaining for the Great Barrier Reef is less than 100 years.

10. The Maldives

The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in population and land area. It is located in the Indian ocean and is made up of more than 1000 coral islands. The Maldives is known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. Due to melting glaciers and rising sea level, the islands are sinking and disappearing. The expected time remaining for the Maldives is less than 100 years.

This short video of Brightside shows some of these places:

Have you already visited one of these places? Did you notice the threats?
I would love to hear about it!

Author: Daphne

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