Where Is the Gulf of Mexico?

Basin & Classification

The Gulf of Mexico is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and a large ocean basin, mostly enclosed by the North American continent.

Boundaries

• North & Northwest: U.S. states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida (panhandle).
• South & Southwest: Mexico (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán).
• Southeast: Yucatán Channel (between Cuba & Yucatán) connects to Caribbean Sea.
• East: Florida Straits (between Florida Keys & Cuba) connects to Atlantic.

Key Metrics

• Surface area: ~1.55 million km² (600,000 sq mi).
• Max depth: ~3,750 m (12,300 ft) in Sigsbee Deep.
• Major ports: Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos.

Strategic Importance

Oil/gas production (offshore rigs), fisheries, shipping (Mississippi River outlet), hurricane genesis zone.