The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It covers an area of 133,000 square miles.The reef is situated in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef can be observed from outer space and is the world's biggest structure made by living organisms.This reef structure is made up of and built by billions of midget organisms, known as coral polyps. This reef is home to numerous species and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN named it one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
A part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the influence of human use, such as fishing and tourism.
The Great Barrier Reef supports a great variety of life, including many vulnerable and endangered species, some of which may be endemic to the reef system.
Six species of sea turtles breed in the reef – the green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley. Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises can be found in the Great Barrier Reef, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale. Large populations of dugongs and sharks also live there.
What is more, saltwater crocodiles live in mangrove and salt marshes on the coast near the reef.
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| The Great Barrier Reef seen from outer space |
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| Coral reef |
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| The Green Sea Turtle |
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| The Dugong |
I invite you to watch a film showing the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef:
The photos come from :
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