captain Cook discovered the Great Barrier Reef during the travel of 1770 on which he investigated waters at east coast of Australia. Today all Great Barrier Reef is announced by marine park and also since 1981 is entered by UNESCO in the World Heritage list.
The Great Barrier Reef represents formation of the coral reeves and coral islands located along the northeast coast of Australia. It extends on edge of a continental shallow on 2300 km. from the southern coast of New Guinea to the cape of Sandi-Kape. Reef width in a northern part about 2 km., in southern up to 150 km. The majority of reeves is under water and appear to a human look only during otliv. Some reeves under the influence of abrasion and accumulative activity of the sea were transformed to coral islands.
The majority of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are open for tourists. The island of Bedarra it is quite deserved is called a charming oasis among islands of the Barrier Reef for those who look for romantic mood. Brampton has wonderful sandy beaches, the privacy broken by packs of a kangaroo and huge number of unique birds. Hamilton is simply created for those who like to combine ecological rest with a civilization. Here the wild nature is combined with modern constructions. The island of Dank is one of the most beautiful tropical islands, on it the wonderful storm woods, izobiluyushche bright tropical birds and butterflies were located. Keppel will become the ideal choice for fans of outdoor activities. Kilometers of snow-white beaches, voyages on catamarans, tracks for hikes and an opportunity to do various sports. Lizard differs in favorable arrangement, excellent service, the exotic nature. Everything et oprivlekat a huge number of tourists from around the world here. Orpheus is famous for the richest collection of corals in the coastal waters. This perfect place for those who want to retire and stay in silence, watching dolphins, whales and huge turtles. Hyman – one of the most prestigious Australian resorts. Great hotel with excellent service and lonely sandy beaches. Fitzroy – is ideal to travel for family holiday and fans with backpacks.
Bdagodar water remains to summer heat which never comes to an end here warm and transparent all the year round. Bathing on the site of a reef located in thirty kilometers from the coast is authorized all the year round, and water is so pure there that visibility exceeds 30 meters.
Islands are important also for many species of water and sea birds. More than 240 types nest on low sandy and coral islands: among them there are petrels, phaetons, frigates, six species of morwennols, including a pink morwennol, silly fellows, 6elobryukhy a sea eagle and a skopa.
The islands of the Great Barrier Reef are called not accidentally the eighth wonder of the world. The Great Barrier Reef forms the biggest reef system in the world and is the biggest structure which is created by living organisms of the planet. From 350 types of corals known in the world 340 are on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef!
The Great Barrier Reef includes about 2900 reeves whose sizes fluctuate ranging from 0.01 sq.km. up to 100 sq.km., and more than 300 islands or shallows from fragments of corals from which about 100 are constantly covered with vegetation and 600 more high islands, many them which are surrounded with own reeves. Its total area – 348,698 sq.km., is more than the area of Great Britain.
Because of enough tangled borders of canals Great Barrier Reefs it is possible to divide into three sectors conditionally: northern where depth does not exceed 35 m, central where it is about 55 m, and southern where depth reaches 145 m.
In the territory of the Great Barrier Reef and near it more than 1,500 species of fish – a kaleidoscope of paints and patterns when they flocks dart about in one, in other party live. The reef is important also for several species of whales, including a small fin whale, a killer whale and a gorbach. These waters – the territory of reproduction of a humpback whale, here often see females with cubs. Here the largest fish on the earth – a whale shark, a set of species of fishes parrots, a boxfish, fishes butterflies, moray eels and many others lives.
Waters of the Great Barrier Reef are also the house for six of seven species of sea turtles existing in the world – all of them die out and need wild islands of a reef for safe removal of posterity. The mysterious dugong also found a reliable shelter in thickets of the seaweed which are found in shallow water at many of islands of a reef.