precious-postcards

Curonian Spit

Human habitation of this elongated sand dune peninsula, 98 km long and 0.4-4 km wide, dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout this period it has been threatened by the natural forces of wind and waves. Its survival to the present day has been made possible only as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat the erosion of the Spit, dramatically illustrated by continuing stabilisation and reforestation projects.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/994

The Curonian Spit is a 98 km long, thin, curved sand dune peninsula that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. It has been made a WHS because of the human efforts since prehistoric times which have prevented the erosion of the Spit. 

The peninsula contains a number of 19th century fishing settlements along the coast of the Curonian lagoon. At the end of the century they were joined by more elaborate buildings such as lighthouses, churches and villas. The Spit at that time became a recreational centre. 

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/curonianspit.html