Great Barrier Reef
Large barrier reef – the ridge of coral reefs and islands in the Coral Sea, stretching along the northeast coast of Australia by 2500 km. It extends from the south to the north starting at Capricorn’s tropic between the cities of Gladstone and Bandaberg and ending in the waters of the Torres Strait, separating Australia from New Guinea. Its total area of 348 698 km2, which is more square of the UK.
Most of the reefs are under water (exposed during the ties). In the south, Reef will be from the coast for 300 km, and then to the north, at Cape Melville, approaching the mainland up to 32 km.
The main part of the reef consists of more than 2,900 separate reefs with dimensions from 0.01 kV.km to 100 kV.km, which are surrounded by almost 540 barriers forming more than 600 coastal islands, including 250 continental islands.
Between the big barrier reef and the coast extends the lagoon. This area of shames rarely exceeds a depth of 100 m, it covers a turbid layer protected by coastal reefs. From the side of the sea, the rope slopes are cool with thousands of meters deep into the sea. The barrier in this place is affected by waves and winds.
The growth of corals here is the fastest, whereas in places where the waves and temperatures reach extreme heights, the reefs lose the greatest number of building material. Most of the free material is woven into the reefs and forms new rocks, thus on the reef there are permanent, replacing each other processes of destruction and subsequent recovery.
The big barrier reef is the largest ecosystem in the world, since it is a colony of coral polyps. The development of this ecosystem depends on the conditions formed in small, rich in sunlight waters near the coast. The coral islands formed over millions of years from the remains of coral polyps rise above the surface.
More than 400 types of corals live here. Most of them belong to solid corals – Mushroom corals, corals – cerebrals and T. N. "deer horns". Coral data color can be from red to dark yellow. There are soft corals that have no limestone skeleton, instead of it in their fabrics there are small, solid crystalline structures, called glorites. Gorgonaria (Gorgonacea), which are also widespread, which also have a secondary skeleton of solid and flexible substances – Gorgonine. Most of the Gorgonium of a large barrier reef differ in bright coloring, which is explained by the presence of pigments and tiny glorites in their tissues. The most common colors are yellow, various shades of red, from orange to brown, sometimes white, lilac-purple. Gorgonarians also include T. N. "Black corals", usually found at the depths of more than 20 meters. They were used for a long time as decorations. The main enemies of the barrier reef corrulla is a starfish "Ternoecency".
At a large barrier reef, about 1500 species of marine fish. The number of only massively encountered species of truly reef fish, the most adapted to life in this ecosystem – about 500. Here lives the largest fish on Earth – a whale shark, a lot of species of fish-parrots, bodyworks, butterflies, Muren and many other.
In the waters around the reef dwells several types of whales (small polysya, gorbal), as well as many dolphins, including the taway. Water around the reef are the breeding zone of whale humpbars, which can often be seen here from June to August).
Southern Reef Islands – Sea Turtles Reproduction. In the waters of Reef, there are six of the seven species, and all of them are under threat of disappearance. It also lives a huge number of crustaceans: crabs, shrimps, lobsters and lobsters. Even a small reef gives asylum about a hundred different types of shrimp and crabs. On the reef there are also many mollusks: Haronium Triton, two-sided mollusks, as well as octopus and squid. Meets here and fatally dangerous syncole octopuses (hapalochlaena), the dimensions of which do not exceed 15 cm.
In addition to all sorts of inhabitants of the sea, the big barrier reef gives asylum more than 240 types of birds. Continental Islands – nesting places of huge bird colonies, where petrels, phaetons, frigates and various types of stars fly, including pink. The reef is also encountered by the Belochy Orlan and Skop. Some birds prefer nest on certain islands.
Nowadays, the possibility of seeing the underwater world of a large barrier reef, with their own eyes, attracts people from all over the world. Numerous pleasure vessels run on reefs with special viewing windows.
Today, the whole big barrier reef is declared by the sea fleet, and in 1981, UNESCO was submitted to the list "World Heritage". All the water area and islands are now divided into six areas of availability. The zone of the most strict control is protected for scientific research. The most affordable – common use zone, trawl, shipping and other types of moderate use of natural resources, such as tourism, selling corals, etc.
However, the ecosystem of a large barrier reef is so vulnerable that any mountain work, oil and gas production, and a commercial underwater hunt with aqualung, and without it, are prohibited throughout its length.
Tourists can only visit certain, specially selected for this island. The price of a trip depends on the level of the comfort provided. Lisard Islands and Hayiman, for example, are equated with five-star hotels, and the trip to them is expensive, and on the islands of Whites and North Mall, you can smash the tent in the allotted tent for this place. Arriving on the islands, tourists must comply with strict rules. Under water, tourists are not allowed to concern the reefs, and parking careers explain to visitors how to enjoy dive with scuba, without harming the environment. Since only a few islands of Big Reef are inhabited, difficulties arise in providing housing all the increasing flow of tourists.
Big Coral Reef is considered the most visited resort of Australia . Numerous islets make it possible to enjoy the sun, beaches and snorkeling. The most popular holiday destinations in tourists is the north beach and the port of Douglas. Each tourist will find entertainment to a large coral reef. Excellent service in combination with hospitality of local residents will leave the most favorable impressions.
At the Big Barrier Reef, you can get a maximum of relaxing pleasure. Here you can find a wide variety of flora and fauna, high-quality hotels and magnificent beaches, as well as amazing tropical nature. An amazing spectacle is the process of observing the magnificent corals and colorful tropical fish. Admiration also cause bizarre forms of these fish, floating between beautiful branching coral structures.
Heron Island Island – a secluded resort on the southern end of a large barrier reef, which has a reputation as one of the best on the planet diving places. The island is surrounded by white sands, transparent waters and amazing by beauty corals. You can get there with a helicopter or a boat from Gladstone. In the hotel: restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis, training with tube (in the pool) and with aqualung, diving (night dive), fishing, excursions (for coral reefs (pedestrian – in shallow water), underwater, boat with transparent bottom), ornithological, zoological, helicopter), spa (facial and body care programs, massage), wine and cheese tasting.
Dunk Island is one of the most beautiful tropical islands, more designed for family holidays. Tourists are waiting for hiking or horseback walks through wonderful rave forests, replete bright tropical birds and butterflies, fishing competitions, scuba diving with mask or aqualung. With all luxury and comfort, it represents the best combination of high quality and reasonable price.
Lizard Island with its 24 beautiful beaches – one of the most exclusive resorts of the world. This is the northernmost, most famous and one of the most expensive BBR resorts. Here are the exclusive comfort, exquisite cuisine, beautiful beaches, fishing, otmnaya diving (skates, manta, moray and t. D.). Here are the most popular places among divers – such as Code Hole. Also local waters provide many opportunities and for lovers to swim from the mask. In particular, they can admire "Garden of mollusks", Where dwells a lot of multicolored fish and other maritime residents. Here you can also go on an excursion to the local research center in order to learn more about the life of marine inhabitants. From other entertainment – tennis, cruises, rifes, water skiing, swimming pools, restaurants and bars. In the framework of the Lonely Planet Awards of 2010, swimming in the azure waters near Lizard Island (Lizard) was named diving lovers "Best entertainment in nature".
