5 Major Gulfs in North America
North America is home to several gulfs that have shaped its history, culture, and economy. These Gulfs are bearers of essential maritime routes, ecosystems, and hubs of famous recreational activities.
The Gulf of Mexico lies on the southeastern coast of North America and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Florida Straits. It is one of the largest and most productive offshore petroleum production regions in the world.
An arm of the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Alaska spans from Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula to the Alexander Archipelago situated at Glacier Bay. Its highly productive ecosystem contains many deep-water corals.
The Gulf of California, a marginal water body of the Pacific Ocean, is also called the Sea of Cortes or the Vermilion Sea. It is a diverse and productive waterbody harbouring over 5000 micro-invertebrate species, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An inlet of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Honduras indents the shores of Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. It has coastal and open waters, salt marshes, seagrass beds, barrier reefs, lagoons etc, making it a highly rich and productive ecosystem.
The Gulf of Panama lies in the Pacific Ocean off the southern shores of Panama. It is connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Panama Canal and is home to other minor gulfs. Principal ports along its shore include Panama City, La Palma, and Chitrè.