We may be living in one of the last generations that can still visit some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Here is our list of 21 wonderful places to visit before they disappear!
Places like animals and plant species are becoming endangered and soon some of the world’s most beautiful places will disappear altogether. Climate change coupled with pollution and global warming is affecting oceans, reefs, beaches and even cities causing drastic changes. The time is near when the most beautiful places on earth will soon disappear from our world forever! So it’s high time for you to rearrange your travel plans with these places to visit before they no longer exist.
Note: Some of these countries, such as Turkmenistan and Indonesia, are very religious and conservative places so you will need to read up on the dress codes and customs that you’ll need to respect while there. Also, this means that a lot of porn sites are blocked in these countries so if you’re staying for a longer duration of time, you might want to look at this article on how to unblock xhamster vpn. We’re only human, afterall!
Olympia, Greece
Why is it famous?
The ancient city of Olympia has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is the site of the first ever Olympic Games in 776 BC. It is one of Greece’s top archaeological sites.
Why is it going to disappear?
In recent years the hot and dry summers have led to rampant wildfires, which have burnt surrounding areas close to the ruins. With the rise in temperatures and low rainfall in the area, it’s better to visit it sooner than later.
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Why is it famous?
Montana’s rugged national park is a famous outdoor park with over 700 miles of hiking trails spanning beautiful lakes and alpine meadows.
Why is it going to disappear?
This Glacier National Park may no longer retain its name as of the 150 colossal glaciers that existed in the national park 100 years ago, only 27 have survived the test of time. According to scientists the surviving glaciers have a lifespan of 15 years; if the global warming of the planet continues at its present rate. Many species inhabiting the park require cold water, which means that the ecosystem of the park will drastically change once the glaciers are gone.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Why is it famous?
It is the most elaborate mausoleum, which was built in the 17th century in the memory of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Why is it going to disappear?
The city welcomes almost three million visitors per year, which may not be possible in the next five years as UNESCO and some preservation groups are urging India to close Taj Mahal’s visit. Air pollution, poor restoration, population explosion and huge influx of tourists have eroded the structure’s exterior. Until the palace is restructured, the days of close visit to the monument may be numbered.
Venice, Italy
Why is it famous?
The famous city in Italy is famous for being the ‘Floating City’.
Why is it going to disappear?
Venice has been sinking on its wooden foundations for long. The city has subsided around 120 mm during the twentieth century and is also under the threat of frequent floods with the rising sea levels (which have risen almost 110mm during the same time period). Climatologists are devising several methods to save the city but are under dispute over the success of these methods.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Why is it famous?
Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia has been famous amongst travellers for having the most mesmerizing salt flats on the planet. They also have half of the world’s lithium reserves, which are being actively extracted by the Bolivian government.
Why is it going to disappear?
As the demand for lithium batteries, used in smartphones is increasing, Bolivia’s untouched salt flats would soon become history.
Madagascan Rainforest
Why is it famous?
Madagascar, famous from the movies, is the place of worship for wildlife lovers inhabiting more than 50 species of lemur, two-thirds of world’s chameleons and giraffe weevil.
Why is it going to disappear?
While the documentaries show thick forests, the same is no longer true. Almost 90% of the island’s original forests are gone and it is sad that many of the endemic species inhabiting Madagascar will be lost even before they are discovered.
Komodo Island, Indonesia
Why is it famous?
This Eastern Indonesian National Park was established in 1980 to protect the endangered species, Komodo dragon. Its rich coral species and rare marine mammals, attracts divers and underwater photographers from across the world.
Why is it going to disappear?
Coral bleaching and ocean acidification are posing huge threat to its enchanting reefs. Also the rise in human population and tourism is changing the ecological face of this uninhabited island.
The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
Why is it famous?
The Door to Hell was set alight in 1971 in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert.
Why is it going to disappear?
The engineers fear it to be emitting poisonous gases. The Inferno continues to rage for over 40 years and is a major tourist attraction for tourists among the world. However it’s hard to predict when the government would finally extinguish the methane fuelled inferno or how long will the fire last by itself, but its certainly a sight you must see while you can.
Dead Sea
Why is it famous?
The Dead Sea is famous for its high salt levels, which allows travellers to float without effort. The sea has been a famous tourist destination for sun seekers from across the world.
Why is it going to disappear?
Human and geological factors have contributed to the termination of the ancient sea. The water levels of the sea are falling at the rate of around three feet per year exposing sinkholes. Around thousand sinkholes have emerged over the last 15 years.
Bordeaux Vineyards, France
Why is it famous?
Bordeaux Merlot is one of the most famous wines across the world.
Why is it going to disappear?
France’s wine growing region production may fall by nearly two-thirds in the next fifty years due to changes in temperature, sunshine and rain.
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Why is it famous?
The Amazon Rainforests are also known as the ‘Earth’s Lungs’ is over millions of years old and is the home for over a third of planet’s plant and animal species, with some unknown tribes.
Why is it going to disappear?
The major threat to the forests is from deforestation. Over the last forty years, more than 40% of Amazon has been destroyed for mining, industrial agriculture and illegal logging.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Why is it famous?
The Galapagos archipelago, was described by Charles Darwin as a ‘little world in itself’. It offers an overwhelming variety of flora and fauna and is the home for giant tortoises, flightless cormorant etc.
Why is it going to disappear?
Increasing population and regular influx of tourists through the four busy airports has disturbed the ecological balance of the once-secluded islands.
Congo Basin, Congo
Why is it famous?
The Congo basin is one of the most important and yet vulnerable basins on the planet, spanning across six countries and responsible for nearly half of world’s oxygen. The basin has a huge biodiversity of savannas, swamps and forests inhabiting gorillas, elephants and buffaloes.
Why is it going to disappear?
The basin is under constant threat of deforestation, mining and illegal wildlife trade due to which environmentalists believe that a significant portion of the forest’s plants and animals could disappear by 2040.
The Sundarbans, India & Bangladesh
Why is it famous?
The Sundarbans is home to a lot of endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the tree climbing mudskipper fish.
Why is it going to disappear?
This world heritage biosphere is under increasing threat from industrial pollution, harmful sewage, and heavy deforestation for timber.
Snows of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Why is it famous?
The snowcapped peaks of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro was immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s story ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’.
Why is it going to disappear?
Global warming is taking a toll on the ice that covered the mountain. Scientists have found that 85% of the ice that covered the mountain in 1912 has now melted and some predict that the legendary glaciers could disappear entirely in two decades.
The Alaskan Tundra, Alaska, USA
Why is it famous?
The vast tundra covering Alaska’s northern and western coasts is the coldest biome in the world.
Why is it going to disappear?
Alaska’s northern regions have seen a significant rise in temperature due to global warming in the recent years. Global warming heats up the Arctic at twice the rate than the rest of the world. This has melted the permafrost of the region causing an increase in coastal erosion, which will impact the polar bears and other inhabitants.
Choquequirao Archaeological Park, Peru
Why is it famous?
The ‘Other Inca Trail’ also known as Choquequirao Archaeological Park, bears a close resemblance to Machu Picchu and is famous for its ruins.
Why is it going to disappear?
Due to the plans of laying a fast road link from Cusco, the cable car which is being built across Apurimac valley coupled with the huge influx of tourists at Machu Picchu, very soon the ruins would be permanently ruined.
Patagonian Ice Fields, Argentina
Why is it famous?
The land of untouched beauty, Patagonian glaciers is the largest body of ice in the southern hemisphere outside the Antarctica.
Why is it going to disappear?
Almost 90% of the Patagonian glaciers have been thinning at an average rate of six feet per year except three of the glaciers, which have been expanding. Due to rising temperatures and declining precipitation, many of the glaciers have been retreating fast. It’s best to include the southern glaciers in your places to visit list now, before they are lost forever in the sea.
Maldives
Why is it famous?
Beautiful beaches, awesome snorkeling spots and luxurious five star resorts have been driving tourists to Maldives every year.
Why is it going to disappear?
Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world at a ground level of 2.3 meters (7 feet, 7 inches) and at an average of only 1.5 meters above sea level. The UN Environmental Programme has predicted that Maldives will be the first nation to be lost to the ocean by the end of twenty-first century if sea levels continue to rise at their present rate.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Why is it famous?
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most bio diverse places in the planet and is the home to over 2500 coral reefs, 600 islands and over 1500 species of fish. It is so large that it can be seen from space!
Why is it going to disappear?
Australia’s great reef has lost about half of its coral reefs over the last thirty years because of increased tropical storms, coral bleaching and ocean acidification. If the sea temperatures and carbon pollution levels continue to rise, the coral reefs would face irreparable damage by 2030. What nature created in 8000 years may disappear within our lifetimes and hence me one of the places to visit on your next travel plans.
European Alps, Switzerland
Why is it famous?
Famous for its glaciers, the Alps sit at a lower altitude than the Rocky Mountains.
Why is it going to disappear?
The Alps had started melting 150 years ago at the end of the ‘Little Ice Age; and since 1980s the glacial retreat has risen several folds. The glaciers are predicted to disappear by 2050.
It would be a shame if these amazing places disappear from the surface of the earth.
But maybe don’t rush to the places that are disappearing because of tourism…
if your fear is global warming, then relax. There has been no global warming in 19 years……….
Wow … what an amazing overview of few of the most beautiful places on the mother earth. Thanks for sharing this post. I loved it.
Of the 21, have been to 6.. Absolutely beautiful, however it was obvious, that it is only a matter of time before they are completely lost… What is interesting and true on your note is that most of these are being destroyed only for one reason. Mankind’s Greed to get everything. The day is not far off when future generations will only have concrete towers to live and see..
Good selection
Such beautiful places
Thanks Manini for sharing this very important information and also for amazing photographs.