Gulf of Mexico

US President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”, citing its “beautiful ring.”

• The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin, bordered by the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba.
• It is connected to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel and to the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits.
• The Gulf has major oil reserves and serves as a crucial site for the oil and gas industry.
• It is home to diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, and wetlands.
• Key rivers draining into the Gulf include the Mississippi, Rio Grande, and Florida’s Apalachicola River.
• The region is prone to hurricanes, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused significant damage.
• The Gulf’s rich biodiversity supports commercial fishing, including shrimp, oysters, and other marine life.