The Great Barrier Reef is the longest and the largest reef system in the world. It is a complex of coral reefs, shoals and small islands in the Pacific Ocean, located off the northeastern coast of Australia. Roughly covering an area of 350,000 square kilometres the reef is one of the largest structures ever built by living creatures. Tiny organisms called coral polyps work behind the composition of this wonderful marine system.
Interestingly, there are many other forms of life supported by the Great Barrier Reef. This includes around 300 species of hard coral as well as anemones, sponges, worms, gastropods, lobsters, crayfish, prawns, crabs, and a great variety of fishes and birds. Historical evidences suggest that the reef has also been important for humans, especially the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They have been living in the region for thousands of years and the reef is part of their culture.