Reef is a concept that derives from an Arabic word that can be translated as “paved”. The traditional use of the term, therefore, is linked to a road, a causeway, or a paved or paved road.
Nowadays, however, the notion of a reef is associated with the bank formed by rocks and polipero animals in the sea, almost on the surface of the water. The most common reefs are coral reefs, found in tropical waters.
For example: “We are going to go diving at the reef and, later, we will visit the hill that is next to the beach”, “Climate change can affect the existence of many coral reefs”, “They say it is the most important coral reef largest on the planet. ”
According to DigoPaul, a coral reef is a solid structure that is formed from the accumulation of stony corals. Thanks to the marine currents and the waves, the reefs receive an important flow of nutrients, which allows them to become the habitat of various aquatic species.
The reefs also act as a barrier to protect the mangroves and the coast in general from the waves, since they are located between the beach and the open sea. Mangroves, meanwhile, protect reefs from sedimentation.
Coral reefs are found in waters whose temperature usually ranges between 20º and 28ºC. That is why it is common to see them between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, less than 50 meters deep, since there are the ideal climatic conditions for their development.
The 10 most beautiful reefs on the planet
Among the underwater landscapes that can be visited, the reef undoubtedly occupies a privileged position; Given its immense beauty and the variety of its animal and plant species, it is very attractive for lovers of exploration and diving. Let’s see the 10 most outstanding reefs in the world:
* Barrier Reef (Belize): it is a reef that is home to more than 300 species of fish and 60 of corals;
* Little Cayman Island Reef: combines the variety of fish species with a number of beautiful coral gardens;
* Andaman Sea Reef (India): Among the more than 500 species of fish and 200 types of coral, it is a setting that offers a variety and beauty that is difficult to match;
* Great Barrier Reef (Australia): it houses more than 400 different coral classes and its extension exceeds 2,300 km on the Australian coast of Queensland;
* Raja Ampat Reef (Indonesia): without fear of surpassing its competition in terms of the number of marine species, it houses more than a thousand kinds of fish and around 600 corals;
* Tubbataha Reef (Philippines): UNESCO has declared this beautiful underwater landscape a World Heritage Site;
* Palancar Reef (Mexico): located in Cozumel, one of the tourist destinations in Mexico, it offers an ideal environment for underwater activities, with a large number of canyons and caves, in addition to species such as barracudas and crabs;
* Aldabra Reef (Seychelles): it is distinguished for hosting more than 150 thousand sea turtles, in addition to manta rays and many species of fish;
* Grand Central Station and Chimneys (Fiji): with a rather peculiar name, it is one of the favorite places for divers worldwide and is home to more than 400 species of coral;
* Roatan Reef (Caribbean Sea): It is especially visited by the various sponges that inhabit it, in addition to the impressive views it offers.
