Plant life and animal life are discussed plus a guided tour of the reef in this handsomely illustrated volume.

A coral reef - it's a natural wonder of unparalled majesty and beauty. This extraordinary ecosystem is home to thousands of species of fish, plants, and other creatures that are among the most colorful, varied, and interesting on earth. Perhaps the most fascinating member of the reef ecosystem is the coral itself. Did you know that corals are actually living animals called polyps? When you look at a coral reef, what you are seeing are the cement-like shells of thousands of these remarkable creaturess. Great Coral Reefs caputres all of the beauty and exitement of this breathtaking environment. Highlighted with stunning full-color photographs, the lively and informative text is an invaluable guide to coral formations throughout the world. Chapter One, "The Making of a Coral Reef," describes the history of coral reefs from their inception 500 million years ago (almost 300 million years before the dinosaur) to the present day. Also examined are the fascinating coral polyps themselves, including their reproduction, growth, and explains all of the most common, and many of the lesser-known, types of coral structures, from fringing and barrier reefs to atolls and coral knolls. Chapter Two of Great Coral Reefs, "Creatures of the Coral Reef," is a guide to the fish and other animal in-common and the most exciting creatures that live in the unusual physcial characteristics and behaviors - fascinating reading and valuable information that will help a visitor to any reef identify its inhabitants. Chapter Three, "The Secret Life of the Reef," takes you on a journey through a typical day on the reefs of the Caribbean Island, Bonaire, exploring the variety of life on this undisturbed fringing reef during the day - and throughout the night. This section also explores many of the fascinating adaptations that reef denizens throughout the world have developed to this specialized environment. Chapter Four takes you to the world's finest coral reefs. Discover the dramatic wreck-diving off the coast of Barbados, and the rare black coral located near the Cayman Islands. This volume is also an insider's guide to the pristine reefs known to only to experienced divers, as well as the unexplored dive sites that still remain. Learn about the best sites to visit on the Great Barrier Reef as well as the obscure island in the Caribbean that boasts both unspoiled reefs and magnificent humpback whales. Finally, Chapter Five describes current threats to the health of reefs worldwide, including advice on what every person can do to help preserve this ecosystem. Possessing Great Coral Reefs is like having your very own personal guide to the reefs of the world. Whether you plan on experiencing some of these magnificent sites or want to explore their beauty from your armchair, this gorgeous volume is an invaluable source of information about this spectacular underwater world. -- from dust jacket

Visiting the Australian outback can be a wonderful experience, but it isn't all about boomerangs and koalas, kangaroos and didgeridoos. It can be a wild and dangerous place if you're not prepared. Here is the essential travel companion for enduring the toughest stuff this rugged continent can offer -- a veritable survivor's guide to managing the unexpected when you're Down Under. Renowned Australian adventurer and bestselling author Sorrel Wilby provides you with the basic lessons on negotiating your way through the bush, across the outback, over the top end, and into the surf and sea. You'll get important lifesaving information on: where you should and shouldn't be driving your Range Rover dealing with natural hazards like river crossings, bush fires, storms, and rips warding off snakes, scorpions, crocs, and sharks encountering Aboriginal people, Bushies, Eccentrics, and Surfers finding food and water treating heatstroke, hypothermia, and tropical infections identifying proper emergency radio frequencies and much more!

With jumping crocs in Kakadu, elemental Uluru and Sydney's world-famous surf beaches, Australia is packed full of unforgettable adventures, and The Rough Guide to Australia will ensure you don't miss a thing. Now in its twelfth edition, The Rough Guide to Australia has been fully updated with more insider tips from Rough Guide's expert authors. Detailed full-colour maps help you negotiate the wilds of the Outback or simply find the best place for a flat white. Hand-picked itineraries and inspiring photography make planning a breeze, whether you want to swim with turtles around the Great Barrier Reef or cruise the surf-battered Great Ocean Road. Get to know the best budget-friendly bistros in Melbourne, discover Perth's craft beer scene or join a vineyard tour in the Barossa Valley with our comprehensive reviews. Adding depth to your travels, our Contexts section sheds light on Aboriginal culture, indigenous wildlife and over 40,000 years of Australian history. An indispensable travel companion, The Rough Guide to Australia will help you make the most of your trip of a lifetime.

A selection of the best in travel writing, with both fiction and non-fiction presented together, this companion is for all those who like travelling, like to think about travelling, and who take an interest in their destination. It covers guidebooks as well as books about food, history, art and architecture, religion, outdoor activities, illustrated books, autobiographies, biographies and fiction and lists books both in and out of print. Anderson's Travel Companion is arranged first by continent, then alphabetically by country and then by subject, cross-referenced where necessary. There is a separate section for guidebooks and comprehensive indexes. Sarah Anderson founded the Travel Bookshop in 1979 and is also a journalist and writer on travel subjects. She is known by well-known travel writers such as Michael Palin and Colin Thubron. Michael Palin chose her bookshop as his favourite shop and Colin Thubron and Geoffrey Moorhouse, among others, made suggestions for titles to include in the Travel Companion.