Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a large coral reef system off the coast of Australia, renowned for its extensive marine biodiversity.
Also known as: Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
How big is it?
348,000 km² · world Heritage property area
World Heritage property area · approximate
Typical recorded range: 344,000 km² to 350,000 km².
A little perspective
Great Barrier Reef vs Japan: area comparison
The area of Japan is about 1.09 times the world Heritage property area of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is a large coral reef system off the coast of Australia, renowned for its extensive marine biodiversity.
Too small to see at this scale. The ring marks its true-scale position, not its area. The shape has not been enlarged.
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean east of the Korean Peninsula.
Too small to see at this scale. The ring marks its true-scale position, not its area. The shape has not been enlarged.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Great Barrier Reef
World Heritage property area: 348,000 km²; approximate; range 344,000 km²–350,000 km².
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area covers approximately 348,000 km². The equal-area symbol is not a reef-boundary map, and coastline and management-area conventions can yield different totals.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Great Barrier Reef
The marked world Heritage property area is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Japan
Area: 378,000 km²; rounded geography model.
A rounded 377,975 km² national-area anchor, not a survey boundary.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked area is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 348,000 km²
We compare the world Heritage property area of the Great Barrier Reef. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. The recorded range is 344,000 km² to 350,000 km².
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area covers approximately 348,000 km². The equal-area symbol is not a reef-boundary map, and coastline and management-area conventions can yield different totals.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 348,000 km² | 344,000 km² to 350,000 km² | approximate |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlaces and natural featuresUnited Kingdom243,600 km²AreaThe United Kingdom is a country in north-western Europe comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Nearest higher valuePlaces and natural featuresJapan378,000 km²AreaJapan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean east of the Korean Peninsula.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Great Barrier ReefWorld Heritage property extent and geographic context; mapped-area conventions differ.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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