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Meet The World’s Largest Coral Reef: The Great Barrier Reef Generates $8 Billion Annually For The Country’s Economy.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful natural formations on Earth. Composed of nearly 3,000 reefs, this massive living formation can be seen from space and is home to a rich and vibrant biodiversity. In this article, we will explore more about this fascinating and largest coral reef in the world.
Great Barrier Reef Extends Over 2,300 Km In Length
The Great Barrier Reef is an immense stretch of coral located between the beaches of Northeast Australia, measuring about 2,300 km in length, with a width varying between 3,700 km and about 900 islands.
The structures that form the reefs are made up of billions of tiny living organisms known as coral polyps. With over 400 different types of corals in its structure, the largest coral reef in the world is formed from a union of colonies of these corals on the ocean floor, allowing them to rise to the surface and be seen from great distances.
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These coral colonies are quite colorful and feed on other small living beings present on the ocean floor, such as zooplankton and organic matter. With over 2,000 km in length and an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest in the world, also being one of the largest structures made solely by living organisms on the planet.
Its extent is so large that it stretches from the central region of Queensland in Australia to the northern region near Papua New Guinea.
Thousands Of Species Are Present In The Great Barrier Reef
If you still haven’t grasped the vastness of this coral reef, know that it can be seen from outer space with the naked eye. This would be like observing almost two countries the size of Italy right next to Australian territory.
Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the largest coral reef in the world also holds significant ecological importance, housing nearly 10% of Earth’s biodiversity. It is often compared to the Amazon rainforest of the oceans due to its size, biodiversity, and environmental significance.
This fascinating region of the planet is home to thousands of species of living beings, including many vulnerable or endangered species, and some that are endemic to this type of ecosystem.
In the Great Barrier Reef, we find more than 400 species of corals, 240 species of birds, 500 species of marine waters, 1,600 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusks, six species of turtles, 30 species of whales and dolphins, in addition to various other living beings that spread throughout this rich ecosystem.
The World’s Largest Coral Reef Generates $8 Billion Annually
The Great Barrier Reef has long been known to local Aboriginal peoples and the natives of the Torres Strait Islands, serving as an important component of local culture. For several centuries, the largest coral reef in the world has also been a major tourist destination for the country, with tourism being an important activity for the region.
Generating up to $8 billion annually, the Great Barrier Reef attracts around 2 million visitors each year, with approximately 1,500 boats operating various tours in the area.
The Australian city of Cairns in Queensland is the main gateway for those wishing to explore the Australian reefs. Visitors can dive among the corals and marine animals, stroll through its islands, sail along the Great Barrier Reef, or even fly over this huge paradise.
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