The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world`s largest coral reef systems, is located in the Coral Sea. The Coral Sea is a body of water in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Australia. It is surrounded by the countries of Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. The reef itself is composed of thousands of individual coral reefs stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) along the northeast coast of Australia. It is a popular tourist destination and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including an estimated 1,500 species of fish and 400 types of coral. The Great Barrier Reef is a protected area and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.