Bar Reef
Coral reef system in Sri Lanka / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bar Reef is a system of coral reefs just offshore from Sri Lanka's Kalpitiya peninsula. It has the greatest biodiversity of any coral reef in the waters around India and is one of the few pristine coral reef systems in Sri Lanka.
Quick Facts Location, Nearest city ...
Bar Reef Sanctuary | |
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Location | North Western Province, Sri Lanka |
Nearest city | Puttalam & Kalpitiya |
Coordinates | 8°23′N 79°44′E |
Area | 306.7 km2 (118.4 sq mi) |
Established | 1992 |
Governing body | Department of Wildlife Conservation |
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It is a complex of reefs which stretch parallel to the coast from the northern end of the Kalpitiya peninsula to the islands which separate Portugal Bay from the Gulf of Mannar. It has high ecological, biological and aesthetic significance, being home to 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish.
The Bar Reef was declared a marine sanctuary in 1992. The reserve covers 306.7 square kilometres (118.4 sq mi).