Coral Sea
The Coral Sea (French: Mer de Corail) is a marginal sea of the South Pacific off the northeast coast of Australia, and classified as an interim Australian bioregion. The Coral Sea extends 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) down the Australian northeast coast. Most of it is protected by the French Natural Park of the Coral Sea (French: Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail) and the Australian Coral Sea Marine Park. The sea was the location for the Battle of the Coral Sea, a major confrontation during World War II between the navies of the Empire of Japan, and the United States and Australia.
| Coral Sea | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°S 158°E |
| Type | Sea |
| Basin countries |
|
| Surface area | 4,791,000 km2 (1,850,000 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2,394 m (7,854 ft) |
| Max. depth | 9,140 m (29,990 ft) |
| Water volume | 11,470,000 km3 (9.30×1012 acre⋅ft) |
| Settlements | Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Port Moresby, Cairns, Townsville, Nouméa |
| References | |
The sea contains numerous islands and reefs, as well as the world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. All previous oil exploration projects were terminated at the GBR in 1975, and fishing is restricted in many areas. The reefs and islands of the Coral Sea are particularly rich in birds and aquatic life and are a popular tourist destination, both domestically and internationally.