10 Key Facts About the Gulf of Mexico
- Size: ~1.6M km² (630K mi²)—10th largest water body globally.
- Max depth: Sigsbee Deep, 4,384 m (14,380 ft).
- Borders: U.S. (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL) + Mexico (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche).
- Islands: Chandeleur Islands, FL barrier islands, Mexican coastal islands.
- Major rivers: Mississippi, Mobile, Apalachicola, Rio Grande.
- Fisheries: Shrimp, oysters, crab, redfish, tuna—major seafood source.
- Oil & gas: Extensive offshore drilling (U.S. & Mexican waters).
- Hurricanes: Frequent June–Nov; major threat to coasts.
- Ecology: Coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, coastal wetlands.
- Ports: Houston, New Orleans, Tampa—critical for global trade.
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