Key Facts About the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico Overview

• Size: ~600,000 sq mi (1,554,000 km²)—world's largest gulf.
• Depth: Avg 4,200 ft (1,280 m); deepest: Sigsbee Deep at 13,412 ft (4,089 m).
• Location: Between North America and Yucatán Peninsula. Borders US (FL, AL, MS, LA, TX) and Mexico (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán).
• Climate: Subtropical; hot humid summers, mild winters. July avg 84°F (29°C), Jan avg 62°F (17°C).
• Marine Life: Fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters, dolphins; endangered sea turtles (Kemp's ridley, loggerhead).
• Economy: Major seafood source, shipping lane, oil/gas production.
• Environmental Threats: Pollution, overfishing, climate change; 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill caused massive damage.