Gulf of Mexico
Body of waterAbout
The Gulf of Mexico is a vast oceanic basin located in the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It is bounded by the U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida to the north, and the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo to the south and west. The Gulf is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Straits of Florida and to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel. Its floor is composed of sedimentary rocks and recent sediments, forming a significant offshore petroleum production region. The Gulf of Mexico supports diverse marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and seagrass beds. However, it faces environmental challenges such as hypoxic dead zones caused by agricultural runoff. These dead zones impact marine life by depleting oxygen levels, forcing fish and shrimp to migrate while killing immobile species like crabs and clams. Efforts are underway to reduce nutrient pollution and mitigate these effects. The Gulf remains a vital hub for trade, tourism, and ecological preservation.
