World Reef Awareness Day rolls around every year on June 1 to remind us about coral reefs, some of the most vital natural assets we have on Earth. These underwater habitats hold an incredible amount of marine life, protect our beaches from washing away, and keep millions employed through fishing and tourism. And when you talk about reefs, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is almost always the first one that comes to mind.
Hugging the Queensland coastline, this natural marvel easily earns its title as a top natural wonder in the world. It’s vibrant, incredibly old, and honestly so huge that it’s hard to wrap your head around it until you see it in person. But there’s a lot more going on here than just pretty turquoise water and nice coral.
Behind those travel brochure photos is a highly complex biological machine. Here are 10 facts that really show just how wild the Great Barrier Reef actually is and what makes it unique.
Image Credit: Canva
