The provided text highlights several cities that have been abandoned for various reasons:
1. **Hashima (Gunkanjima), Japan**: Initially inhabited by coal mine workers, Mitsubishi bought the island in 1890 for exploitation. It thrived until 1974 when it closed due to decreased coal consumption. Today, a small part is open to tourists, while the rest has deteriorated.
2. **Sanzhi UFO Houses, Taiwan**: Built in the 1970s near the beach, this futuristic resort was intended for the American military and the upper class. However, a typhoon during construction led to bankruptcy, and the place was abandoned in the 1980s.
3. **Pripyat, Ukraine**: Founded in 1970 as a city for Chernobyl nuclear power plant workers, it was evacuated in 1986 after the Chernobyl disaster. Today, it remains a radioactive ghost town.
4. **Pyramiden, Norway**: Originally a Soviet coal mining settlement, industrial activity ceased in 1998. Some buildings are still owned by the Russian government, and only a few people live there today.
5. **Kolmanskop, Namibia**: Founded by German miners in 1908 for diamond extraction, it grew rapidly. However, with the start of World War I and the development of artificial fertilizers, the city declined, and it's now buried in the desert.
6. **Humberstone, Chile**: Founded for saltpeter extraction, it thrived until the industry collapsed due to synthetic fertilizers. Abandoned for over half a century, it's now a ghost town.
7. **Varosha (Barocha), Cyprus**: Once a popular tourist destination, it was abandoned in 1974 during the conflict between Turkey and Cyprus. It remains fenced and under Turkish military control.
8. **Ordos Kangbashi, China**: Built to house a million people with modern amenities, it failed to attract residents. Most of its buildings stand empty, making it one of the world's largest ghost cities.
These cities were abandoned for various reasons, including economic downturns, disasters, and conflicts, leaving them as eerie reminders of their past.
Sure, here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:
1. **Cities Abandoned Due to Various Reasons:**
- Wars, natural disasters, and failed economic projects are some reasons for city abandonment.
2. **Hatchima (Gunkahima):**
- A small island in Japan inhabited by coal mine workers from 1887 to 1974.
- Mitsubishi bought and exploited the island until its closure in 1974 due to decreased coal consumption.
- The island was abandoned, and its buildings deteriorated.
3. **Phantom City in Taiwan:**
- Built in the 1970s, designed in a futuristic style inspired by UFOs.
- Focused on American military and the upper class.
- Construction was halted by a typhoon, leading to bankruptcy and abandonment.
4. **Pripiat (Chernobyl):**
- Reactor number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in 1986.
- High radiation levels forced the evacuation of inhabitants, who were told they'd return but never did.
- Domestic and wild animals were sacrificed to prevent radiation spread.
- 20 people were killed, and some refused to evacuate.
5. **Pyramiden in Norway:**
- Founded as a mining settlement, later sold to the Soviet Union.
- Industrial activity ceased in 1998, and central heating broke down.
- Russian government owns vandalized houses; only a few people live there as guides.
6. **Kolmanskop in Namibia:**
- Founded by German miners in 1908 to extract diamonds.
- Prosperous with schools, hospitals, and mansions during World War I.
- Buried by desert sand, rehabilitated as a tourist center in recent years.
7. **Humberstone in Chile:**
- Named after James Humberstone, a British chemical engineer.
- Prosperous due to Saltpeter exports but declined after World War I.
- Abandoned for half a century.
8. **Varosha (Barocha) in Cyprus:**
- Popular tourist destination until the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
- Population abandoned the city, and it remains under Turkish military control.
9. **Ordos Kangbashi in China:**
- Built as a modern city with avant-garde architecture.
- Designed for a million people but only attracted 70,000.
- Eventually, people started leaving, and the city went bankrupt.
These are the key facts extracted from the provided text.