Great Barrier Reef, Australia Lying just a few miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the Great Barrier Reef; the only living thing visible from space.Its total area comprises approximately 133,000 square miles and within that live thousands of different species of marine life. To be more specific, there are around 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of mollusk and 400 different types of coral (both hard and soft). As well as this there are marine animals such as the severely endangered sea-cow (also known as the dudong or manatee) and the large green turtle, which face extinction if the Great Barrier Reef’s climate isn’t protected.
Measures are being taken to preserve the Great Barrier Reef and it has been named as a UNESCO world heritage site as well as one of CEDAM International’s seven wonders of the underwater world too. Whether the efforts of the organizations will prevent damage to the reefs and the endangered species that rely on it we cannot be sure. Global warming and the disposal of effluents are largely to blame.
The Great Barrier Reef has become a huge tourist draw for those who wish to see the world’s largest coral reef, with many opportunities for diving, snorkeling and seeing the reef from the air.
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