We are accustomed to perceive the world as a given, a constant: you just have to want – and all its wonders will be available. But natural disasters and human carelessness lead to sad consequences: famous architectural and miraculous monuments, entire cities and regions are on the verge of extinction, and who knows if future generations will be lucky enough to see them. One of the main treasures of Italy, the magnificent Venice is about to be under water. Every year the city is flooded by 2-5 mm, waves from cruise ships erode the foundation, and restless tourists exacerbate the situation: the old streets can withstand only 30 thousand people a day, but in reality there are twice as many. If nothing changes, by 2100 the city will disappear from the face of the earth, leaving only strange imitators like casino hotels in Las Vegas or Macau. 1/1 Shutterstock.com, S.Borisov Shutterstock.com, ventdusud
1. Venice
Shutterstock.com, JLR Photography
Sownak Roy
2. Maldives
The oceans are also destroying the idyllic Maldives. According to scientists, by the end of the century the sea will rise by almost 60 cm, which means that most of the 1196 islands of the archipelago will go under water. Already today, the life of the Maldivians is complicated by strong tides and warming coastal waters, so many are thinking about moving to the mainland.1/1
Shutterstock.com, Irina Schmidt
KKulikov, shutterstock.com
Anobis, Dreamstime.com
Anna Kibalova
3. Taj Mahal
The grandiose mausoleum of white marble, flaunting in Indian Agra, may collapse in the coming years. The river Jumna washing its foundations is so polluted that it accelerates the decay of wooden beams, in addition, countless visitors spoil the luxurious floors and walls. Unsurprisingly, UNESCO recommends that the Taj Mahal be closed to tourists.1/1
incredibleindia-tourism.org
incredibleindia-tourism.org
incredibleindia-tourism.org
incredibleindia-tourism.org
4. Dead Sea
The Dead Sea – a legendary source of youth, beauty and health – has become shallow by 30 m over the past decades. Due to climate change, mining, waste disposal and other factors, the reservoir literally disappears, and karst funnels form on the tread land. To save the unique object, the authorities plan to bring a channel from the Red Sea to it, but this will forever change the local landscape and the composition of the water. 1/1
Shutterstock.com, Michal Ninger
Anna Kharitonova
Israel Ministry of Tourism
5. Great Wall of China
An ancient colossus with a length of about 9000 km rises above the Celestial Empire from the 3rd century BC. e. But today, mines for the extraction of gold and other underground resources, located almost 100 meters from the structure, cause irreparable damage to the Great Wall of China, already destroyed by almost 70 %.1/1
fotohunter, shutterstock.com
chungking, shutterstock.com
6. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is suffering from global warming, tropical hurricanes, acidification of the water, poaching and an endless stream of tourists. The coral polyp-eating starfish are doing their bit as biologists try to reduce their population and save the colorful underwater splendor.1/1
Tourism Australia
Shutterstock.com, Martin Maun
Tourism QLD
7. Alps
The highest mountain range in Europe will soon cease to delight fans of winter sports with abundant snow. By 2100, more than 70% of the Alps' snow cover will be gone, but melting can be slowed down by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And here are 6 Russian cities that live solely on tourism. How many of them have you visited? 1/1
romanboed
Elena the Cat
Zermatt Tourism
Nerus Dreamstime.com
8. Machu Picchu
Mysterious Machu Picchu has been spared for millennia, but modernity is not spared: crowds of tourists, landslides and inevitable dilapidation leave less and less chance to comprehend the mysteries of the Inca city.1/1
Mark Skalny, shutterstock.com
Yaro, shutterstock.com
Agap13| Dreamstime.com
Casadphoto, Dreamstime.com
9. Galapagos Islands
Once the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin to create an evolutionary theory: more than 10 thousand rare species of animals and plants fit on the picturesque archipelago. But poachers, cruise ships and (once again) tourists are changing the ecosystem beyond recognition: only the strongest will survive.1/1
Tourism tips
Wikimedia.org
Wikimedia.org
10. Egyptian pyramids
Temporarily inaccessible to organized Russian tourists, the pyramids of Egypt will one day be inaccessible to everyone. Air pollution, natural aging of limestone, errors of restorers and insufficient funding are detrimental to stone blocks covered with legends.1/1
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Keith.Fulton
Shutterstock.com, nutsiam
Matt Saunders
