World heritage sites are at risk of disappearing forever.
War, climate change, and excessive human intervention and tourism are putting many valuable world heritage sites at risk of disappearing forever.
|
| Vienna, Austria:Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its Habsburg architecture, Baroque gardens, cobblestone streets, royal palaces, ancient castles, and many other valuable historical buildings. However, UNESCO is concerned that modern projects, luxury apartments, and hotels could potentially damage the city's historical landscape. (Photo: [Image caption])Pintai Suchachaisri/Getty. |
|
| The historical center of Shakhrisyabz, Uzbekistan:A 90-minute drive south of Samarkand lies Shakhrisyabz, a 2,000-year-old city in the Kesh region. Here, visitors will find medieval walls, mosques with blue domed roofs, and a variety of architectural styles. However, the area is facing significant pressure from the development of its tourism infrastructure. (Photo: [Image caption])VW Pics/Getty. |
|
| Medieval sites in Kosovo:Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The medieval site in Kosovo, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, includes four churches and monasteries with domes and frescoes, symbols of Byzantine religious culture on the Balkan Peninsula that flourished from the 13th to the 17th centuries. However, this site is threatened by the region's political instability. (Photo: [Image caption])Ullstein bid/Getty. |
|
| East Rennell, Solomon Islands:UNESCO estimates that around 62 World Heritage sites are threatened by climate change, including East Rennell on Rennell Island, the southernmost island of the Solomon Islands in the Western Pacific. This area boasts the world's largest coral atoll, measuring 86 km long and 15 km wide, along with many unique species that are suffering negative impacts from climate change. (Photo: [Image caption])Peter Hendrie/Getty. |
|
| Timbuktu, Mali:The World Heritage site of three earthen mosques – Djingareyber, Sankore, and Sidi Yawhia – in Timbuktu has long been a popular tourist destination. However, in recent years, this "golden city" on the edge of the Sahara Desert has been suffering negative impacts from desertification. (Photo: [Image caption]Luis Dafos/Getty. |
|
| Coro and port area, Venezuela:On the Caribbean coast in the Falcón state of Venezuela lies the small town of Coro and its port area, a World Heritage site. Its rammed earth buildings dating back to 1527 are a unique example of the blend of local tradition with Spanish and Dutch Mudéjar architectural techniques. However, Coro suffered significant damage from unusually heavy rains in 2005. (Photo: [Image caption])Danita Delimont/Getty. |
|
| Liverpool, England:Famous historic buildings and structures are located in six UNESCO World Heritage sites in Liverpool's city centre: Pier Head, Albert Dock, William Brown Road Preserve, Dock Stanley Preserve, Duke/Ropewalks Preserve, and Castle Street Preserve. Like Vienna, UNESCO is concerned that new, modern development projects will negatively impact the city's World Heritage sites. (Photo: [Image caption])Alexander Spatari/Getty. |
|
| Belize Barrier Reef, Belize:The Belize Barrier Reef, home to one of the longest coral reefs in the Western Hemisphere, the Great Blue Hole, is a top tourist attraction in Belize and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Comprising coral islands, sandbanks, mangrove forests, and coastal lagoons, the Belize Barrier Reef is home to turtles, manatees, and crocodiles. However, the entire area is threatened by marine pollution, as well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing activities. (Photo: [Image caption]Jeff Hunter/Getty. |
