Size The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2300 kilometers (1400 miles) in the Coral Sea along Australia's northeastern coast.
Formations There are 3,000 coral reefs plus many islets, atolls and coral cays.
Wildlife The Great Barrier Reef supports 10,000 species including 1500 types of fishes and 200 kinds of birds.
Other inhabitants include whales, dolphins and sea turtles.
Underwater
spectacle The sheer beauty of
its fish and coral waterscapes draws two million tourists annually who come to see the
underwater spectacle via
diving, snorkeling and glass-bottom boating.
Great Barrier Reef
ecological threats
Vulnerable
This complex and delicate eco-system can be easily damaged or
even destroyed.
Visitor
impact
Great Barrier Reef conservationists fear that
the large influx of visitors and their collateral effect on pollution are damaging
the very natural wonder that people come to celebrate.
Overfishing
and pollutants
Culprits include boats, farms, ranches and industry.
An
even greater threat
Many scientists see an even greater threat: Global Warming. It's unlikely that
the Great Barrier Reef of Australia would survive if the water temperature rose by 5% or so over its
current average.