Location: Namibia
Then: In 1910, it was a thriving mining town with a population of 1,000, primarily German miners. It boasted amenities such as a hospital, theatre, school, casino, furniture factory, sports center, Africa's first tramline, and a railway station.
Why people went there: The discovery of diamonds in the Namib desert in 1908 attracted many people seeking fortune.
Why people left: By 1920, diamond deposits were depleted, leading to a lack of work and money, causing people to leave. By 1954, the last resident had departed, and sand began to engulf the town.
Now: The town is deserted, with sand dunes covering most of it. Only a couple of old buildings remain, and it is inhabited only by wildlife.