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 2nd 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!
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8 Comments
Marc and Ann
What an awesome article and well said! Glacier National Park is definitely my favorite! Keep up the good work and thank you for bringing to our attention the fact that many beloved places are disappearing!
Girlswanderlust
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it.
kristin.l
Beautiful places that I would one day love to visit…hope that ecotourism is on the rise and conservation efforts would help stem the destruction and maybe even restore the environments!
Girlswanderlust
Hope so too Kristin!! =)
Karen
I’ve been to 3 of these, but I’m not sure about the Taj Mahal as I think they corrected for the issues. I’d still love the visit the rest, especially the Maldives!!
Girlswanderlust
Oh good to hear about the Taj Mahal. Would be great if they can fix these issues, so we can enjoy the beauty of this mausoleum a bit longer!
Susanna Kelly
I understand the conflict. Tourism is such a great, yet tragic thing. I’ve been to 4 of these and have 3 on my list for next year, though I like to think I travel responsibly. There’s so many amazing places we’re losing. I guess on the bright side there are places being created, like Hawaii and Iceland.
Girlswanderlust
Hi Susanna, yeah it is definitely a pity to lose so many beautiful places, but good to hear that you keep responsible travelling in mind! To what places are you going next year? =)