Petra

Petra

Located In:

Jordan

History:

This suite remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of the 40 places you have to see before you die.

The site suffers from a host of threats,including collapse of the ancient structures, erosion due to flooding and improper rainwater drainage, weathering from salt upwelling, improper restoration of ancient structures, and unsustainable tourism.

The latter has increased substantially, especially since the site received the widespread media coverage in 2007 during the controversial New Seven Wonders of the World Internet and cell phone campaign.