Miles Bennett
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, and on the southwest and south by Mexican states including Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatán. The Gulf of Mexico covers an area of approximately 600,000 square miles (940,000 according to another source) and is known for its warm waters and diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs and deep waters that support marine mammals, fish, and birds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southeastern periphery of the North American continent |
| Bordering Countries | United States, Mexico, Cuba |
| Bordering US States | Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida |
| Bordering Mexican States | Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Area | 600,000-620,000 square miles (1,500,000-1,600,000 square km) |
| Width | 810 nautical miles (1,500 km) |
| Depth | 12,000 feet (3,657 meters) |
| Deepest Point | Sigsbee Deep (5,203 meters below sea level) |
| Water Volume | 2.4 million cubic km |
| Floor Composition | Sedimentary rocks, sediments, carbonate material, sand, silt, clay |
| Connected Bodies of Water | Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea |
| Channels/Passages | Straits of Florida, Yucatán Channel |
| Natural Resources | Petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, oysters |
| Population | 67 million (US states), 19.1 million (Mexican states) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida
- It is bordered by the US Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida
- The Gulf is also bordered by Mexican states including Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Tabasco
- The Gulf's name is associated with the ethnonym Mexica, referring to the Nahuatl-speaking people of Mexico
- The Gulf is a source of petroleum, natural gas, sulfur and oysters
The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. It is bordered by the United States to the northwest, north, and northeast, Mexico to the west, south, and southeast, and Cuba to the southeast. The Gulf of Mexico is an oceanic basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, which runs between the peninsula of Florida and the island of Cuba.
The Straits of Florida is one of two channels connecting the Gulf of Mexico to larger bodies of water, the other being the Yucatán Channel, which connects the Gulf to the Caribbean Sea. The Yucatán Channel runs between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba and is about 100 miles (160 km) wide. The Straits of Florida is also quite narrow, with a maximum depth of only 900 meters (3,000 feet). The Gulf of Mexico is also connected to the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, which is the principal current moving oceanic waters through the gulf.
Water flows into the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel as the Yucatán Current and exits to the North Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits as the Florida Current, which becomes the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is one of the strongest ocean currents known and is a continuation of the Caribbean Current-Yucatán Current-Loop Current system. The Loop Current is surrounded by small cyclonic (anti-clockwise) eddies and has a diameter of up to 300 kilometers (190 miles).
The Gulf of Mexico is an important site for commercial, sport, and recreational fishing, as well as oil drilling and shipping. It is also susceptible to hurricanes and other strong storms due to its warm water. The Gulf of Mexico is officially recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization as the "Gulf of Mexico," although former U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2025 renaming it the "Gulf of America."
Golfing Paradise: Belek, Turkey's Premier Destination
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
It is bordered by the US Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, with the coastal areas of the Southern US states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, which border the Gulf on the north, occasionally referred to as the "Third Coast" of the United States. These states share the Gulf Coast, which stretches for over 624 miles from the Rio Grande delta to Sabine Pass, with Texas being the closest to the Sigsbee Deep, the deepest point in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico took shape about 300 million years ago due to plate tectonics.
Texas has a long history with the Gulf of Mexico, as it served as an avenue for the discovery, exploration, and settlement of the state by the Spanish, French, and later settlers of other nationalities. The Gulf continues to be vital for commerce, linking the ports of five southern states and Mexico with the larger Atlantic Ocean. It also forms the basis of various marine resources in Texas, including navigation, recreation, oil and gas, commercial fisheries, oysters, and shell.
Louisiana also has important economic ties to the Gulf, as sulfur is extracted from wells drilled on the continental shelf off its coast. In addition, the Gulf's moisture contributes to the weather across the United States, including severe weather in Tornado Alley, which affects Louisiana.
Florida, the other Gulf state that is part of the mainland United States, has a unique role in the Gulf of Mexico's geography. The Straits of Florida, running between the peninsula of Florida and the island of Cuba, connect the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the Florida Keys are included in the definition of the southeast limit of the Gulf of Mexico, and the abyssal plain that forms the gulf's floor is bounded by abrupt fault scarps toward Florida and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Golf's "A" Game: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Gulf is also bordered by Mexican states including Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Tabasco
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, and on the southwest and south by Mexican states, including Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. The Mexican states that border the Gulf of Mexico showcase a diverse range of cultural and historical significance.
Tamaulipas, located in the northeastern part of Mexico, is known for its rich history and cultural blend. It shares a border with the United States and has been influenced by both countries throughout its past. Tamaulipas plays a crucial role in trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Gulf.
Veracruz, often referred to as Vera Cruz, is a vibrant state known for its cultural diversity and historical significance. It has a long coastline along the Gulf, featuring important ports such as the Port of Veracruz, which has served as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange. The state has a rich colonial heritage and is known for its vibrant music, cuisine, and architecture.
Tabasco, located in southeastern Mexico, is renowned for its tropical climate and diverse natural environment. The state has a significant petroleum industry and is an important contributor to Mexico's energy sector. Tabasco also has a rich cultural heritage, with ancient Olmec roots and a strong tradition of folklore and cuisine.
These three Mexican states bordering the Gulf of Mexico offer a glimpse into the country's cultural diversity and historical depth. They play a vital role in trade, commerce, and energy production, while also showcasing the unique characteristics that make Mexico a captivating country.
The Gulf of Mexico serves as a significant geographical feature, influencing the culture, economy, and way of life for the bordering states and countries. It provides a gateway for trade and exploration, connecting North America to the larger ocean, and has played a pivotal role in the discovery, settlement, and economic development of the region.
Golf Tracks: What's in a Name?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Gulf's name is associated with the ethnonym Mexica, referring to the Nahuatl-speaking people of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded mainly by the North American continent. It is bordered by the United States to the northeast, north, and northwest; by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo to the southwest and south; and by Cuba to the southeast. The Gulf of Mexico is roughly oval and is about 810 nautical miles (1,500 kilometers; 930 miles) wide. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, which run between the peninsula of Florida and the island of Cuba, and to the Caribbean Sea by the Yucatán Channel, which runs between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba.
The name "Gulf of Mexico" first appeared on a world map in 1550 and in a historical account in 1552. Europeans named the gulf after Mexico, the land of the Mexica, as mariners needed to cross the gulf to reach that destination. This name has been the most common since the mid-17th century. In the 18th century, Spanish admiralty charts labelled the gulf as "Mexican Cove" or "Mexican Sound" (Ensenada Mexicana or Seno Mexicano). The gulf is known as Ayollohco Mexihco in Nahuatl, u golfoil México in Yucatec Maya, and golfo yu'un México in Tzotzil.
The name of the Gulf of Mexico became a subject of dispute in the United States in 2025, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to refer to it as the "Gulf of America". This order is not binding outside of the US executive branch, and the International Hydrographic Organization continues to recognize the name "Gulf of Mexico". Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum objected to the declaration of a name change, and major online map platforms and several US-based media outlets voluntarily adopted the change.
Pebble Beach Golf: A Course with a View
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Gulf is a source of petroleum, natural gas, sulfur and oysters
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. It is bounded by the southern coast of the United States to the northwest, north, and northeast, and by the east coast of Mexico to the west, south, and southeast. Cuba also borders the Gulf to the southeast.
The Gulf of Mexico is a significant source of petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, and oysters. In terms of petroleum, the Gulf is one of the most important offshore production regions in the world. The western and central Gulf, including offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, is a major petroleum-producing area within the United States. Oil production from US federal waters in the Gulf reached a peak of 1.65 million barrels per day in 2017. Deepwater provinces in the Gulf continue to be established, with new players entering the business.
Natural gas hydrates have long been known to exist in sediments beneath the Gulf of Mexico. In 2009, the US Geological Survey announced the discovery of thick natural gas hydrate deposits that are recoverable with current technology. However, to date, natural gas from hydrates has not been produced from the Gulf.
Sulfur is extracted from wells drilled on the continental shelf off Louisiana.
The Gulf of Mexico once produced most of the oysters in the United States. While numbers have decreased since the BP oil spill, oysters found in supermarkets or raw bars are likely Gulf oysters, a strain of Eastern oyster. They are typically large, tender, and meaty, with a mild flavor due to the freshwater influence of the Mississippi River. Oyster shells from the Gulf's shallow waters are also used in the chemical industry as a source of calcium carbonate and for building roads.
Choosing the Right Golf Glove: A Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent.
The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the United States to the northwest, north, and northeast, and by Mexico to the west, south, and southeast.
The US states that border the Gulf of Mexico are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
The Mexican states that border the Gulf of Mexico are Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
