What Borders the Gulf of Mexico? 3 Nations, 5 U.S. States, 6 Mexican States

The Gulf of Mexico is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by three countries:

United States (5 Gulf Coast States)

• Texas – 367 mi; Houston Ship Channel, Sabine Pass.
• Louisiana – 397 mi; Mississippi Delta, vast wetlands.
• Mississippi – 44 mi; barrier islands, shipbuilding.
• Alabama – 53 mi; Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island.
• Florida – 770 mi (peninsula + panhandle); Tampa Bay, Everglades outflow.

Mexico (6 Gulf States)

• Tamaulipas – Rio Grande mouth; oil ports.
• Veracruz – Major port, historic gateway.
• Tabasco – Grijalva/Usumacinta delta; oil.
• Campeche – Campeche Sound; Cantarell oil field.
• Yucatán – Mérida region; cenotes, henequen history.
• Quintana Roo – Cancún, Riviera Maya; Caribbean transition.

Cuba

• Northwest coast – 300+ km; Guanahacabibes Peninsula to Havana.
• Straits of Florida – Connects Gulf to Atlantic.

Ecosystems & Economy

• Dead Zone – Seasonal hypoxia (Mississippi nutrients); ~15,000 km².
• Oil/Gas – 17% US production; 4,000+ platforms.
• Fisheries – Shrimp, menhaden, reef fish; $1B+ dockside.
• Ports – Houston, South Louisiana, Corpus Christi, Tampa, Veracruz = top tonnage.

The Gulf isn't a backwater—it's an economic powerhouse and ecological crossroads shared by three nations.