|
Howdy!
|
|
Last update February 9, 2004
|
|
The Gulf of Mexico: Texas Shoreline
|
|
The Gulf of Mexico extends from Florida's Southernmost tip, along the deep
South of the U.S. scooping through South-East Texas, and down most of the length of Mexico for a total of about 615,000 sq. miles. It was formed about 200 million years ago when North America broke away from South America and Africa. Its shape was defined after the the recurrent ice ages. Sediment accumulated on the floor of the gulf for long periods of time, resting within the sediment was organic matter. After several million years, all of that turned into oil. Several oil rigs drill in the Gulf of Mexico, especially near Texas and Louisianna. |
|
Fishing in the Gulf produces 40% of the entire U.S. fishing indistry, and provides about 20 billion dollars
worth of business. The Gulf of Mexico is home to the nation's top 10 ports for the value of landings, and four of the top five for volume landed. Many animals call the Gulf of Mexico home. Sting Rays are very common, as are Jellyfish and sharks. Most of the U.S. shrimp catch comes from the Gulf. |