UNESCO reveals important sites that are likely to disappear

UNESCO published a list of sites considered to be part of the World Heritage that are in danger of disappearing in the future. These are some of the most beautiful places in the world that are threatened and there are many reasons why tourists might not have the chance to visit them again.

Earlier this year UNESCO warned that Spain is about to become the first EU Member State with a natural World Heritage site in danger of extinction. Doñana National Park in Andalusia, the home of the Iberian lynx and many other endangered species in Europe - is threatened by a mining plan and thousand illegal wells.

Everglades National Park in Florida - with an area of 607 000 hectares, the national park is a sanctuary for endangered animal species, including the Florida panther and Manatee. UNESCO representatives argue that nutrient pollution and low water flows contribute to the loss of marine habitat and the decline of marine species, as conservation efforts are very large to mitigate the damage.

Jerusalem and its Old City walls - Jerusalem is a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and the Old City houses 220 historic monuments, including important pilgrimage sites such as the Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall. UNESCO officials said they were "deeply concerned" by what they call "illegal Israeli excavations persistence" around Old Town, which would be devastating for some historical sites. Also, the organization accuses Israel of obstructing restoration projects.

On the UNESCO list there are many other important places such as: the Belize Barrier Reef, Abu Mena in Egypt, Sumatra rain forests, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery in Georgia, Chan Chan Archaeological Zone in Peru, Atsinanana rainforests in Madagascar, Maritime Mercantile City, Liverpool and many others.