Beaches are some of the most beautiful places on earth. They provide us with a unique setting for relaxation and fun, as well as a great place to observe the beauty of nature. Have you ever wondered how beaches are made? Find out with these Top 10 Facts about how beaches are created. From the species on British beaches to the different types of sand that can be found on beaches, this list will teach you how beaches are formed.
1. It can take thousands of years for a natural beach to be created.
Beaches don’t form overnight!
It takes thousands of years for them to form.
They form because of the water that is moving constantly.
The waves break down the land, including rocks and coral reefs.
2. Sand comes from broken down minerals and rocks!
A beach forms when waves leave sand, pebbles and gravel along the shoreline.
Sand is broken down minerals and rocks.
It can take thousands of years for rocks to become sand!
Over time it becomes smooth from the moving water.
3. Sand comes in lots of different colours.
Sand isn’t always golden, although that is the most common colour.
It also comes in lots of different colours including red, brown, pink, orange, gold, purple, green, and black!
The colours depend on the minerals and rocks the sand has been formed from.
There are black beaches in the Canary Islands. This is because the sand comes from volcanic minerals.
What do oceans tell us about the climate? Find out below!
4. The longest beach is Praia Do Cassino in Brazil!
The Praia Do Cassino beach is REALLY long!
It’s around 150 miles long which would be over 5 marathons.
That would be a very long beach walk.
5. The world’s shortest beach is Playa de Gulpiyuri.
The shortest ever beach is called Playa de Gulpiyuri.
You can find the beach in Spain.
The beach is only 50 metres long!
6. Victorian doctors used to prescribe a trip to the beach.
Seaside trips became very popular in the Victorian times.
Doctors would sometimes prescribe their patients a visit to the seaside, rather than medicine.
That sounds good to us!
7. There are over 1,200 different species of animals and plants on British beaches.
There are lots of wildlife along British coastlines.
In fact, there are over 1,200 different species of animals and plants.
Next time you take a trip to the beach, see how many you can spot!
8. Beaches are constantly changing.
Although you might not be able to tell the difference, beaches are always changing.
They can get bigger, smaller or even change shape.
It can happen because of the waves, wind or extreme weather!
9. Fraser Island is the biggest sand island!
The biggest sand island in the world is called Fraser Island!
It is off the East Coast of Australia.
The island is home to forests which, amazingly, grow through the sand!
10. Sea turtles lay their eggs on beaches.
Sea turtles go onto beaches and dig a nest.
They will then lay their eggs into it!
Sea turtles usually lay between 80-180 eggs. The eggs then take two months hatch.
That’s a lot of baby turtles!
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