Ten facts about the Great Barrier Reef

1. 2,900 separate reefs make up the Great Barrier Reef, ranging in size from less than 1 hectare to over 100,000 hectares.
2. The Great Barrier Reef covers over 34 million hectares (344,044 square kilometres), a larger area than Italy, and spans 2,300 kilometres of coastline, from Torres Strait to southern Queensland.
3. It is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and this diversity reflects the maturity of the ecosystem.
4. Over 1500 species of fish live on the Great Barrier Reef, representing 10% of world fish species.
5. Along with fish, 360 species of hard coral, 4000 mollusc species, and 400 species of sponges live on the Great Barrier Reef.
6. The Great Barrier Reef is a nesting ground for endangered species like green and loggerhead turtles and a breeding ground for humpback whales.
7. The Great Barrier Reef contributes over $6 billion annually to the Australian economy.
8. The Great Barrier Reef generates about 63,000 jobs, mostly in the tourism industry.
9. Over 1 million people visit and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef each year.
10. The Great Barrier Reef is World Heritage listed and classed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

To learn more about the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website, www.gbrmpa.gov.au.