Skip to main content Skip to Search Box
Definition: Great Barrier Reef from Philip's Encyclopedia

World's largest coral reef, in the Coral Sea off the NE coast of Queensland, Australia. It was first explored by James Cook in 1770. It forms a natural breakwater and is up to 800m (2,600ft) wide. The reef is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon, 11-24km (7-15mi) wide. It is a world heritage site. Length: 2,000km (1,250mi). Area: c.207,000sq km (80,000sq mi).

Great Barrier Reef

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
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. Features The Great Barrier Reef follows the curve of Australia's east coast, from New Guinea in the north…
464 results

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From The Encyclopedia of Tourism and Recreation in Marine Environments
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is listed as one of the Natural Wonders of the World, and is the only life form on Earth visible from the moon. The Great Barrier Reef is the most extensive structure ever built by living creatures, and is the world’s largest barrier reef. Its great diversity reflects…
| 1,524 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Aboriginal Marine Tourism

From The Encyclopedia of Tourism and Recreation in Marine Environments
Native Fijian performing a traditional...
Aboriginal marine and coastal tourism focuses on fishing , traditional use of marine resources and viewing of marine life. On the Dampier Peninsula of Western Australia, Aboriginal groups operate coastal campsites and collect fees from fishing groups. Bardi Aboriginal people conduct tours gathering…
| 592 words , 1 image
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP)

From The Encyclopedia of Tourism and Recreation in Marine Environments
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is situated entirely within the Great Barrier Marine Park World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). The only parts of the World Heritage Area that are excluded from the Marine Park are most islands, internal waters such as deep bays and narrow inlets , and a number of small…
| 576 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
largest complex of coral reef in the world, c.1,250 mi (2,000 km) long, in the Coral Sea, forming a natural breakwater for the coast of Queensland, NE Australia. Composed of more than 2,800 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon from 10 to 100 mi…
| 267 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Extensive complex of coral reefs , shoals, and islets in the Pacific Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Australia. The largest deposit of coral in the world, it extends for more than 1,250 mi (2,000 km) along the coast of Queensland and has an area of some 135,000 sq mi (350,000 sq km). The reef…
| 180 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
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…
| 938 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From The World's Heritage
The Great Barrier Reef is important in the...
Australia Criteria - Natural phenomena or beauty; Major stages of Earth’s history; Significant ecological and biological processes; Significant natural habitat for biodiversity The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the northeast coast of Australia. It is the world’s…
| 539 words , 3 images
Key concepts:

Full text Article GREAT BARRIER REEF

From Historical Dictionary of Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest single collection of coral reefs and islands in the world. It lies off the northeast coast of Queensland and is 1,250 nautical miles long. The reef is about half a million years old and has been created and destroyed about 12 times as a result of changes in sea…
| 208 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef

From The Macquarie Dictionary
a coral reef extending from near PNG down the coast of Qld to Lady Elliot Island just below the Tropic of Capricorn; the world's largest coral reef; inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. About 2000 km Luis de Torres explored northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef in 1605, as did Willem…
| 514 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Great Barrier Reef,

From The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea
the world's largest reef system, situated off Queensland, Australia, and one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a complex of 2,900 individual coral reefs , islands, and lagoons that stretches for over 1,900 kilometres (1,200 mls.). The full extent of the reef was first recognized in 1770 by…
| 264 words
Key concepts:
Mind Map

Stack overflow
More Library Resources