10 Places To Visit Before They Disappear

Places To Visit

Looking for a destination for your upcoming vacation? Before you decide, keep in mind that some of the world’s most beautiful and most unique places are changing, some might lose their magic, while others might disappear completely. Before you is a list of 10 such destinations.

 

1. The Glacier on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at a height of 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level. The mountain is also one of the most famous mountains in the world, probably thanks to the Ernest Hemingway’s famous short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The summit of the Kilimanjaro features the Furtwängler Glacier – a small remnant of an enormous icecap which once crowned the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This icecap has retreated significantly over the past century and will most likely disappear entirely over the next few years

Places To Visit

Furtwängler – the Glacier on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (source: source: M. Disdero)

 

2. The Maldives 

The Maldives or the Republic of the Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives consists of 1,102 islands, but don’t let this huge number fool you, the Maldives is the smallest Asian country in land area (and in population as well). The average ground level is these islands is just 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, which makes it the world’s lowest country and puts the very existence of the country in jeopardy due to the rising sea levels. The country is a very popular resort and often rated among the world’s most romantic destinations and the country’s beaches are among the best beaches in the world

Places To Visit

Malé – the capital of the Maldives (source: Shahee Ilyas)

 

3. Venice, Italy

Venice is built on 117 small islands which are separated by canals and linked by bridges. During the 20th century, as a result of water extraction from the aquifer beneath the city, the entire city of Venice began to subside. The rate of the city’s sinking has slowed and some claim stopped completely since the water extraction was banned in the 1960’s. However the city is still very much threatened by floods created by high tides, or Acqua alta as it’s called in Venice. The city is often flooded by the sea and emergency plans to build a series of gates to protect the lagoon are on the way. Click here for the best attractions in Venice

Places To Visit

The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

Places To Visit

Floods due to high water in Venice

 

4. Havana, Cuba 

Don’t worry. Cuba isn’t going anywhere. Cuba is known for it’s beautiful beaches and classic capital city of Havana that will make you feel like you’re back in the sixties. And for those reasons the small island of Cuba is well worth a visit. But due to latest political shifts in the country and the slowly renewing relations with the United States, Cuba might soon become more modern and Havana might loose that 60’s charm and classic cars it is so famous for. No doubt those changes are very positive for the country, but if you always wanted to visit Havana for that old times magic, you should probably hurry up

Places To Visit

Classic cars in Havana, Cuba (source: Laslovarga)

 

5. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 

The Galapagos Islands is an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, 926 km (575 mi) west of Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands and their surrounding waters are a national park and a biological marine reserve. The islands are world famous for their vast number of endemic species and were studied by Charles Darwin, which led to the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The delicate archipelago is endangered by poachers, pollution, the rise in sea water temperature that damage the reefs and the growing tourism to the islands

Places To Visit

Galápagos sea lions on Isabela Island, the Galapagos (source: Charlesjsharp)

 

6. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Located off the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system which is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef system stretches over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) and is one of the world’s most amazing natural heritage sites. Unfortunately, the Great Barrier Reef  is at risk, as recent studies show that in the last 3 decades the number of corals reduces by half due climate change, pollution, human activity like tourism and construction, and the spreading of the crown-of-thorns starfish that feed of the corals

Places To Visit

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia (source: Toby Hudson)

 

7. Columbia Glacier, Alaska 

While it’s not unique for a glacier to retreat, the Columbia Glacier is retreating faster than most. The Columbia Glacier has been retreating since the early 80’s. It retreated 10.5 miles (16.9 km) of length and 1,300 feet (400 m) of thickness since measurements began. In 2001 the glacier’s speed of retreat reached almost 30 metres (98 ft) a day! This rapid retreat appears to be correlated by climate change

Places To Visit

Columbia Glacier, Alaska

 

8. Antarctica 

Antarctica is perhaps the most authentic place left in the world, almost untouched by humans. But as human expeditions to the frozen continent become more and more popular, and as the hunting and fishing for the wildlife in the area continues, the remarkable views we see today may be damaged beyond recognition in the future

Places To Visit

The geographic South Pole on Antarctica

 

9. The Everglades, Florida, United States 

The Everglades is a big area of tropical wetlands in southern Florida. The Everglades National Park protects only 20% of that amazing area. The park is home to a large diversity of wildlife: 36 threatened or protected species, 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles. This entire ecosystem and natural habitat is threatened by the growing pollution created by man. There are growing efforts to save the Everglades, but we recommend you visit it soon

Places To Visit

The Everglades, Florida (source: Miguel.v)

 

10. The North Pole 

The North Pole is the northernmost point on the Earth. Unlike the South Pole, which is located on the continent of Antarctica, the North Pole is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, in a point where the water are almost always frozen. Studies show that In recent decades the ice mass over the area of the North Pole is shrinking and the ice melts. Some estimates show that by 2100 there will be no more ice over the North Pole. This might will also lead to the extinction of the Polar bears that are having harder and harder time hunting seals as the ice breaks apart

Places To Visit

3 curious Polar bears approach a US submarine near the North Pole

      

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