Thursday 22 December 2011

Why You Must See the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a natural, majestic wonder from below and above. Speaking of above, did you know that this reef is visible from space? That's right; It is so unbelievably large that it is the only living thing that can be seen from space, and it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In fact, this reef is even larger than the Great Wall of China! For a location this massive, it most definitely holds treasures beyond your wildest imaginations, and it is highly suggested that you venture to this natural masterpiece and get a look for yourself.

Just how huge is this reef? Well, the Great Barrier Reef is about 65km wide in some parts, and stretches between 15km and 150km offshore. The marine park lies almost parallel to the Queensland Coast, and is over 3,000km in length! This area is immense, and it's the perfect place for the whole family to visit.

Now you may be wondering what an enormous reef such as the Barrier Reef holds; well, it has just about everything a spectator would want to see. This reef system actually has over 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays connected to it, making it the absolute largest reef system in the world. In addition, this wonderland is home to hundreds of tropical islands with some of the world's favorite beaches.

It is completely understandable why the Barrier Reef has quickly become one of the world's most sought-after locations. People from all over travel to witness some of the most amazing sights one could fathom. The amount of marine life is staggering, and thankfully, the UNESCO added the Reef to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1981.

You're probably wondering exactly what kind of marine life exists in this spectacular part of the world. The Great Barrier Reef holds more than 400 kinds of coral, mollusks, coral sponges, over 1,500 species of tropical fish, dolphins, rays, over 200 different kinds of birds, approximately 20 species of reptiles and 120-year-old giant clams. Yes, this place is pretty amazing and it's every diver's dream. To make matters even more amazing, the Great Barrier Reef is also a popular breeding area for humpback whales that migrate from Antarctica. In addition, there are endangered species that call the Great Barrier Reef home; a few of these species are the large Green Sea Turtle, and the Dugong (Sea Cow).

The enormity, majesty, and bewildering beauty of the Great Barrier Sea Reef have made it one of the top places to go in the world. In fact, so many people are interested in experiencing its grandeur for themselves, that there are over 1,500 vessels and aircrafts, and more than 820 operators permitted to operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This way, everyone who visits will have the chance to truly experience the wonders this incredible reef has to offer.

For more tips on spending crazy time, visit Adventure Travel Tips.


View the original article here

No comments: