Maldives
Photograph by James L. Stanfield, National Geographic Stock
One of the 28 New7Wonders of Nature finalists, the Maldives are made up of 1,192 small islands (including the above), but people live on only about 200 of them.Photograph by James L. Stanfield, National Geographic Stock
Even fewer of those islands will be inhabited if climate change continues to raise sea levels in the Indian Ocean, particularly around the low-lying capital of Maale (Male), experts say. (See pictures of Maale (Male) and other places endangered by climate change.)
If the Maldives make it to the final seven-wonders list, the resulting attention may inspire more action on climate change, Tourtellot suggested.
"It might get some needed conversations going, and that would be a good thing."
July 21, 2009
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Photograph by Robert Madden, National Geographic Stock
The world's tallest waterfall was named one of 28 finalists in an international contest to decide the seven wonders of the natural world via popular vote. At 3,287 feet (1,002 meters) tall, Angel Falls is more than 19 times taller than North America's Niagara Falls.The falls are also situated in a region full of tepuis—tabletop mountains unique to northern South America—which are "in danger from inappropriate or thoughtless resource development, like power lines cutting through scenic areas," National Geographic sustainable-tourism expert Jonathan Tourtellot said.
"Tepui country could do for more tourism as an economic counterforce for that kind of thoughtless development," added Tourtellot, who is also spearheading the second-annual Geotourism Challenge, where voters chose places "they consider most cutting edge in providing visitors with authentic travel experiences, whether in a big city or a remote spot."
July 21, 2009
The bay has become a popular tourist attraction and was named one of 28 finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature contest, announced on July 21, 2009.
Yet the 600-square-mile (1,553-square-kilometer) bay will get a "lousy score" on the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations 2009 Destination Scorecard, an annual listing of the world's best preserved tourism spots, Tourtellot said. The 2009 list will be released in October 2009.
"A lot of the problem is in a heavily trafficked tourist area in one section and irresponsible development on the shoreline [that's] really messing it up," Tourtellot said of Halong. "Once you get away from that area, it's really nice."
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Photograph by Chitose Suzuki, AP
Halong Bay is home to idyllic islands and floating villages of fishers who ply the shallow waters for more than 200 species of fish.The bay has become a popular tourist attraction and was named one of 28 finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature contest, announced on July 21, 2009.
Yet the 600-square-mile (1,553-square-kilometer) bay will get a "lousy score" on the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations 2009 Destination Scorecard, an annual listing of the world's best preserved tourism spots, Tourtellot said. The 2009 list will be released in October 2009.
"A lot of the problem is in a heavily trafficked tourist area in one section and irresponsible development on the shoreline [that's] really messing it up," Tourtellot said of Halong. "Once you get away from that area, it's really nice."
July 21, 2009
