Great Barrier Reef

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Click image to enlarge
Chain of coral reefs and islands about 2,000 km/1,250 mi long, in the Coral Sea,

off the east coast of Queensland, Australia, about 16–241 km/10–150 mi offshore. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 3,000 individual reefs, and is believed to be the world's largest living organism. Only ten navigable channels break through the reef. The most valuable products of the reef are pearls, pearl shells, trepangs (edible sea slugs), and sponges. The reef is popular with tourists. In 1976 it became a Marine Park and in 1981 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Annually, a few nights after the full moon in November, 135 species of hard coral release their eggs and sperm for fertilization and the sea turns pink. The phenomenon, one of the wonders of the natural world, was discovered in 1983, and is triggered by a mechanism dependent on the moon, the tides, and water temperatures.

The temple of Angkor Wat had five towers but often only three are depicted. Red and blue recall the earlier flags of Cambodia. Effective date: 20 June 1993. >>