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Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. The outer reef is the most amazing experience on earth and you will see more colours than you have ever seen before. Strongly recommend goign in the Oz summer.

Australia has moved northwards at a rate of 7 cm per year, starting during the Cainozoic. Eastern Australia experienced a period of tectonic uplift, leading to the drainage divide in Queensland moving 400 km inland. Also during this time, Queensland experienced volcanic eruptions leading to central and shield volcanoes and basalt flows

Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale. Large populations of dugongs live there. There are at least 330 species of ascidians found on the reef system, ranging in size from 1 mm-10 cm in diameter. Between 300-500 species of bryozoans are found on the reef system

        

The biggest myth are box jellyfish out on the reefs. THEY DO NOT EXIST ON THE OUTER REEF. In fact all of the jellyfish you may come across on the outer reef at worst will give a 'nettle' sting which is more of a slight irritation than actually something that hurts. You can always get 'stinger suits' if you are overly paranoid about jellyfish.