Reef in American Samoa

The Great Barrier Reef, located off of the northeastern coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef. It is a living system of over 900 islands and 3,000 reefs. Most of the Great Barrier reef is protected as part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Park. It is the second largest protected sea area in the world. Thousands of marine species live in the reef including over thirty kinds of dolphins and whales, six kinds of sea turtles, and over 500 kinds of coral. Unfortunately, the future of the reef is uncertain. Global Warming and water pollution are the major threats to its continued existence.