The Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeastern coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles). It is home to a diverse array of marine life, including over 9,000 known species, and consists of approximately 3,000 individual reefs and coral cays. Renowned for its stunning beauty and rich biodiversity, the reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, it faces significant threats from climate change, pollution, coastal development, and overfishing, prompting extensive conservation efforts.