Coral Sea: location, islands, photo

The Coral Sea is considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting seas entering the Pacific Ocean. The total area of its surface is 4 471 thousand square kilometers. On this indicator, it is included in the list of the ten largest seas on our planet. Such an original name is associated with the abundance of coral formations in it. In this article we will talk about where the Coral Sea is located, its features, climate and inhabitants.

general description

The water area is located next to Australia, south of New Guinea. From the Pacific Ocean the sea is separated from such islands as New Britain, Solomon and New Hebrides. Since much of it is outside the continental shelf, it is deep-sea. The deepest depth of the Coral Sea is 9140 meters. This place is known as the bougainvillea and lies near the Solomon Islands. The surface of the bottom is characterized by a strongly dissected relief and numerous depressions. In addition, the reservoir is characterized by strong differences in depth. In shallow water, the bottom is covered with sand.

Separate words deserve a gulf of the Coral Sea, which is called Papua. It is located on the southeast coast of the island of New Guinea, being one of the most picturesque and popular among tourists. Its length is about 150 kilometers, and the maximum depth is 969 meters.

Climate

If you look at the map, you can see that the sea lies in the tropical zone, south of the equator. Only a small part of it is located in the subtropics. In this regard, the coast is characterized by a warm climate. The water temperature is stable and averages 29 degrees in the north and 20 degrees in the south. Southeast warm trade winds prevail over the water area of the sea. Clear sunny weather here all year round. There is practically no exhausting heat or winter cold. Even in those cases when the thermometer's column is approaching the 40 degree mark, the person feels comfortable enough due to a light breeze. The only exception is the coast of the islands, which for a long time were active volcanoes.

It should be noted that the region where the Coral Sea is located is a zone of seismic activity. In this regard, during the last century, earthquakes were repeatedly recorded here. The most powerful of them occurred less than ten years ago in the Solomon Islands.

Great Barrier Reef

The main attraction that the Coral Sea boasts is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef on the planet that stretches along the Australian coast for more than two thousand kilometers. Its width begins with a mark of 2 kilometers in the southern part and reaches 150 kilometers in the north. Between the reef and the continent there is a lagoon, whose depth is about 50 meters. Scientists have recognized it as a true natural miracle and a heritage of mankind. Based on numerous studies, his age is more than ten thousand years. As for the total area of the reef, it is almost 350 thousand square kilometers. According to tentative estimates, it consists of 2,900 tiny and giant reefs. The Great Barrier Reef also includes many islands of the Coral Sea.

Every year, a huge number of tourists from all over the world come to see this natural landmark. The most popular are small shoals and small reefs. But in the Great Barrier Reef there are many protected areas, which are protected by law. You can get on them only if you have special permission.

Corals

The Coral Sea became the habitat for 400 species of soft and hard corals. All of them can boast a rather colorful coloring, which gives the water shades of all colors of the rainbow. As seen in numerous photos, thanks to them in clear weather, the water has an emerald color, which at deep depths becomes saturated blue and acquires a purple hue. Along with this, one should remember the nuance that the corals extracted from under water lose their brightness and attractiveness.

Animal world

According to scientists, in the waters of the Coral Sea, there are about 1500 species of fish. Here there are even some species of whales (killer whales and small minke whales). There are more than 4 thousand species of mollusks here. Among other things, the Coral Sea has become home to some animals, no less mysterious than polyps. These include the dugongs listed in the Red Book, which are marine mammals from the order of sirens. It should be noted and the fact that six of the seven known on the planet species of sea turtles are found in the local waters. On the coasts washed by the sea, there are about 240 species of birds. It should be emphasized that some of them are found only here, so they need protection.

Battle of the Coral Sea

Between May 4 and 8, 1942, one of the largest and most significant sea battles took place in the Pacific theater of the Second World War . In it the allied forces from Australia and the USA were opposed by the junction of the Japanese imperial fleet. This battle in the Coral Sea was the first clash of aircraft-carrying groups in history. Moreover, the crews of the ships did not see the enemy ships and did not make one shot at each other. The parties only alternately exchanged air raids. As a result, on the first day, the allied forces succeeded in destroying the enemy aircraft carrier, while the Japanese sank an American destroyer and a tanker. The next day, enemy fleets lost one more aircraft carrier, and many ships were badly damaged. After such a significant loss of sea and air vessels, both sides retreated.

According to historians, the allied fleet suffered more serious losses, because he lost his main ships. On the other hand, Australians and Americans gained a strategic advantage, for the first time since the beginning of the war the Japanese offensive was stopped. Moreover, largely because of their losses on the aircraft carriers of the enemy a few months later the Allies successfully liberated New Guinea.

Conclusion

Since 1969, the water area is the territory of Australia. No one lives on the islands. Due to the abundance of coral reefs, navigation at sea is significantly hampered. As of today, there are a number of environmental and economic constraints that relate to the use of its resources. Whatever it was, the coast is thriving, and for the port cities there is a rapid growth.