The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Queensland and is considered one of the world’s largest coral reefs and one of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions. The Great Barrier Reef stretches around 2,300 km along Queensland’s coast line beginning at the Cape York Peninsula and extending down to Bundaberg. The Great Barrier is an extraordinary living structure which is made up of living coral growing on dead coral which host a large number of living organisms such as numerous 1625 breeds of fish, algae, starfish, turtles, sea snakes, 30 breeds of whales and dolphins, 600 types of soft and hard corals and thousands of species of plants. With a depth of around one hundred metres, it is hard to believe that the Great Barrier Reef was once dry, flat coastal plains back in glacial times. The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 2900 reefs, 618 islands and 300 coral rays and is the largest reef structure in the world!
The Great Barrier Reef is special geographically as it is the largest living structure on Earth built by living organisms which was produced over millions of years and only grows around 1 centimetre per year. The Great Barrier Reef’s large array of coral is made up of limestone which protects numerous animals which habitat the reef, it is believed that the Great Barrier Reef has existed for over 18 million years and current coral has existed for over 18 000 years. Every year the Great Barrier Reef is visited by over 1.6 million tourists whom contribute to an extremely profitable eco-economy. However, not all tourists are properly educated on reef etiquette and are believed to have contributed to extensive reef damage along with the transportation of coal. I believe the Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s top five geographic features as it is an incredible natural feature and is home to some of Australia’s endangered species such as dugongs and large Green sea turtles. The Great Barrier Reef is a magnificent piece of Australian history which if protected correctly will continue amaze tourists from all over the world for decades to come.
The Great Barrier Reef is special geographically as it is the largest living structure on Earth built by living organisms which was produced over millions of years and only grows around 1 centimetre per year. The Great Barrier Reef’s large array of coral is made up of limestone which protects numerous animals which habitat the reef, it is believed that the Great Barrier Reef has existed for over 18 million years and current coral has existed for over 18 000 years. Every year the Great Barrier Reef is visited by over 1.6 million tourists whom contribute to an extremely profitable eco-economy. However, not all tourists are properly educated on reef etiquette and are believed to have contributed to extensive reef damage along with the transportation of coal. I believe the Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s top five geographic features as it is an incredible natural feature and is home to some of Australia’s endangered species such as dugongs and large Green sea turtles. The Great Barrier Reef is a magnificent piece of Australian history which if protected correctly will continue amaze tourists from all over the world for decades to come.
Sustainability: www.sustainabilitysc.org accessed 6/08/14. World all details: worldalldetails.com accessed 6/08/14.