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• The world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for 1,616 miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

• Fast Facts

  1. Attracts approximately 1.8 million visitors each year
  2. Located in the Coral Sea
  3. Can be seen from outer space
  4. Breeding area for the endangered Humpback Whale
  5. Reef industries provide over $5.8 billion to Australia's economy each year

• Chain of Islands

  The Great Barrier reef is a chain of over 2,900 individual reefs and 940 islands that comprise the world's largest naturally made structure.

• World Heritage Site

  In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was designated Australia's first World Heritage Site and was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World by CNN

• Diversity of Life

  The reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 359 types of hard coral, 200 bird species and countless other invertebrates, many of which are endangered and do not live anywhere else on earth.

• Environmental Concerns

  Various environmental and human factors such as destructive fishing practices, climate change, species removal and poor water quality are contributing to the detstruction of the Great Barrier Reef. A 2002 survey showed that over 60% of the reef had undergone some degree of bleaching.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Australia | Pacific Ocean | Scuba Diving | Coral Sea | Snorkeling | Coral Reef | Sea Squirt | How to Become a Marine Biologist

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