The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located off of Australia’s eastern coast, is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world. The reef covers an area over 300,000 square kilometers and includes a wide range of ocean depth, and it contains such biodiversity as to make it one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. Much like any other ecosystem on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef relies on biotic and abiotic components to keep it functional and stable.
The world's largest reef system
Millions of years old!
1,500 species of fish
About the Reef
Reef Ecosystem
Where is it today?
Economy
The Great Barrier Reef makes up about 10 per cent of the world's coral reef ecosystems, and is one of the best known and most complex natural systems on Earth.
Today the Reef is a Marine Park and World Heritage Area, supporting a range of commercial activities and attracting millions of visitors each year who come to enjoy its beauty above and below the water.
The Great Barrier Reef is an economic powerhouse, contributing more than $6.4 billion each year to the Australian economy and around 64,000 full-time jobs.
Area: 344,400 km²
length: 2300 km long
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The Great Barrier Reef is roughly the same areas as:
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How Big Is It?
The Great Barrier Reef is roughly the same areas as:
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Italy Japan Germany malaysia
Area: 344,400 km²
length: 2300 km long
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What Is In The Reef?
3000 coral reefs
600 continental islands
1625 types of fish
133 varieties of sharks and rays
600 types of soft and hard coral
©2020 The Great Barrier Reed. Proudly created by Katie Rebello