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Dec 4, 2018 · The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas ( map ).
- Amanda Briney
- The first European exploration of the Gulf of Mexico was by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497.
- The Gulf was created first by continental plates colliding in the Late Triassic period, around 300 million years ago, and then by the sea floor sinking.
- The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin -- only a narrow connection to the Atlantic exists as the gulf is surrounded by North America and Cuba.
- It is the ninth largest body of water in the world, covering about 600,000 square miles, and is bordered by five US states in the north, five Mexican states in the west, and Cuba in the southeast.
- The Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest and oldest water bodies on Earth. Covering over 1.6 million square kilometres, the Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest and oldest water bodies on Earth.
- The Gulf is a famous diving destination due to its large coral reefs. The Gulf is often portrayed as a hotspot for tourism, owing to the sprawling beaches along its coastline and the opportunity for recreational diving.
- There is an extensive array of marine flora and fauna that thrives in the Gulf. Besides the biodiversity generated from the coral reefs in the region, numerous creatures inhabit the Gulf because of the Atlantic currents.
- The Gulf has several oil and petroleum rigs dotting its waters. The Gulf is home to numerous oil rigs that produce over 17% of overall US crude oil production.
Jan 14, 2024 · Stretching across 1,600 kilometers of coastline, the Gulf of Mexico is a vast and diverse marine ecosystem that borders five U.S. states and six Mexican states. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity and plays a crucial role in global climate patterns. The Gulf of Mexico is home to over 15,000 species.
In this guide, we explain exactly where the Gulf of Mexico is and what its boundaries are, and we include a Gulf of Mexico map so you can see a visual of it. To complete your Gulf of Mexico knowledge, we also go over all the key information you should know about its physical geography and history.
Gulf of Mexico, Gulf, southeastern coast of North America, connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida and to the Caribbean Sea by the Yucatán Channel.
