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Gulf Coast
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Map of the Gulf of Mexico showing physical features such as continental shelves, escarpments, canyons, and basins, with shaded areas indicating water depth. Surrounding countries and U.S. states, major cities like Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, and Havana, and key geographic features including the Yucatan Peninsula and Bay of Campeche are labeled. An inset locator map shows the Gulf's position in North America.
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Map of the Gulf of Mexico showing physical features such as continental shelves, escarpments, canyons, and basins, with shaded areas indicating water depth. Surrounding countries and U.S. states, major cities like Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, and Havana, and key geographic features including the Yucatan Peninsula and Bay of Campeche are labeled. An inset locator map shows the Gulf's position in North America.
Gulf of Mexico / Gulf of America

Gulf Coast

region, United States
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Gulf Coast, geographic area in the extreme southern United States along the northern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Stretching in a large, flattened U shape for more than 1,200 miles (1,900 km), it extends about 100 miles (160 km) inland and runs north-northwest along western Florida; west along southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana; and southwest and south along southeastern Texas. Land elevations are nowhere above 500 feet (150 metres) in the region. Precipitation is...

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