Learn about the Great Barrier Reef

Located off the coast of Queensland, the northeast of Australia, the Great Coral Reef is the largest coral system in the world. It can be seen from outer space as a structure, 1600 miles wide. It is composed of 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands. Thousands of species live in and around the coral reef system. There are over 30 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises and there is over 1500 species of fish.

The tourist site has become very popular for people and especially to scuba divers. The current restructures believed to be living on a platform from an earlier restructure. The old one days back as far 18,000 years with the new one going on top for it being a about a thousand years old. Each year the new coral grows about one centimeter. Global warming is the significant threat for the great barrier reef with most of its corals are already living at the upper end of its temperature tolerance.

Other severe threats include coastal development and over fishing.


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