Prosperity doesn’t always last. As history shows, entire nations have risen to bright heights, only to tumble into economic despair. These dramatic reversals often stem from a tangled mix of political decisions, global shifts, and natural disasters. War, drought, financial mismanagement, or even a single policy change can tip the scales. What begins as a golden era can quickly unravel, leaving behind stories of loss and transformation.
Click through the gallery to explore how once-thriving countries found themselves in crisis, and what their journeys reveal about the fragile nature of fortune.