Consider the following statements with regard to Australia:

1. The Coral Sea separates the Great Barrier Reef from the South Pacific.

2. The Great Dividing Range extends from Melbourne to Perth in Australia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is Option 1: 1 only.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is correct: The Coral Sea lies adjacent to the northeastern coast of Australia and separates the Great Barrier Reef from the South Pacific Ocean.
• The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, located in the Coral Sea and stretching along the Queensland coast.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Great Dividing Range does not extend from Melbourne to Perth. It primarily runs along the eastern coast of Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria.
• The Great Dividing Range is Australia's most substantial mountain range and significantly affects the country’s climate, water flow, and biodiversity.
• The Coral Sea is known for its rich biodiversity and is a critical habitat for marine life, including coral, fish, and other species.

Additional Information

• Coral Sea:
  • The Coral Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is bordered by Australia to the west, Papua New Guinea to the north, and the Solomon Islands to the east.
  • It contains several islands and reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Coral Sea is renowned for its warm waters and is a popular location for diving and marine research.
• Great Dividing Range:
  • This range is also known as the Eastern Highlands and is Australia’s most prominent mountain system.
  • It plays a vital role in shaping weather patterns by influencing rainfall distribution across eastern Australia.
  • Key regions within the range include the Blue Mountains, Australian Alps, and the Snowy Mountains.
• Great Barrier Reef:
  • The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometers.
  • It supports a diverse ecosystem, including over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and various endangered species like dugongs and sea turtles.
  • Climate change, coral bleaching, and pollution threaten the survival of the reef, making conservation efforts critical.
• Geography of Australia:
  • Australia is the smallest continent and is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
  • Its landscape is diverse, featuring deserts (e.g., Great Victoria Desert), tropical rainforests, mountains, and coastal areas.
  • Major rivers include the Murray River and Darling River, which form the Murray-Darling Basin.