Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system consists of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for more than 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) above the surrounding area of 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 sq mi). Coral is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia.

Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's largest single structure made by living organisms is composed of reef structure and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps .. Reef supports a diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN labeled as one of the world's seven natural wonders of the Queensland National Trust. icon named it the state of Queensland.


Most of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as fisheries and tourism. Other environmental pressures on reefs and their ecosystems, including runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic population outbreaks of crown-thorns-starfish.
 
Great Barrier Reef has long been known and used by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and is an important part of the culture of local groups and spirituality. Coral is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions. Tourism is an important economic activity for the region, producing a AU $ 1 billion per year.

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