Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest known structure on earth that is entirely made of coral. It is the largest reef system in the entire world. It is composed of more than 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. It can be seen from the outer space. The Great Barrier Reef is stretched to an approximate length of 2,300 km.
Facts you didn’t know: –
- More than 1,300 different fish species, 20 reptile species, 400 types of coral, 200 bird species live in the Great Barrier Reef.
- The biggest threat to this natural wonder is climate change.
- It sits along the north-eastern coast of Australia.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage area and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
- It covers an overall area that is larger than the size of Italy.
- There are more than 300 species of ascidians on the reef system.
- There are around 600 types of hard and soft corals.
- In the Great Barrier Reef, around 17 different species of sea snakes can be found.
- It is believed to be as much as 20,000,000 years old.
- It has an average depth of 35 meters approximately.
- The reef provides enough jobs for approximately 63,000 people.
- The widest sections of this reef system are approximately 65 kilometres wide.
- This incredible ecosystem is a popular tourist destination with around 2.2 million visitors every year.
