Alabama has 67 counties and an area of over 52,000 square miles The southern state's economy relies heavily on the nearby Atlantic Ocean, which is one of the reasons Alabama was the first state to sue BP after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But despite its large size and reliance on the sea, Alabama has just 53 miles of coastline and only two counties that border the Gulf of Mexico.
Mobile County is the second largest county in the state of Alabama, has a population of just over 400,000 and covers 1,200 square miles. The county, now with 10 cities, was created in 1812 and became a part of Alabama seven years later. The city of Mobile, the third largest city in Alabama, is located in Mobile County. The county's reliance on the Gulf of Mexico is clear, as it is home to the Port of Mobile, a key hub of both sea and rail commerce.
Baldwin County, the largest in the state, sits to the east of Mobile County and has a population of 140,000, according to 2000 U.S. Census data. Most Baldwin residents live in rural, unincorporated areas. Despite its small population, Baldwin is one of the three fastest growing counties in Alabama.
Baldwin was first organized in 1809 and became a part of Alabama in 1819. The county is named after Abraham Baldwin, who served as the first president of the University of Georgia, signed the U.S. Constitution, and served in Congress in America's early years.
Although they are not located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Washington and Clarke counties are the next closest counties to the Gulf. Both are located about 60 miles north of the Gulf.
