Is the Gulf of Mexico part of the Atlantic Ocean?
Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico (Spanish: Golfo de México) is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent.
What is the geography of Florida?
Geography of Florida. Much of the state of Florida is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Spanning two time zones, it extends to the northwest into a panhandle along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is bordered on the north by the states of Georgia and Alabama, and on the west,...
What is the difference between the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast?
The Atlantic coast has plenty to offer in the way of water sports. They get the better waves and, thus, some greater action. Florida’s Gulf Coast, however, is responsible for those visions of smooth, sandy beaches and crystal, clear water. This is where you go to lounge in a hammock all day and forget your worldly woes.
What are the circulation features of the Gulf of Mexico?
Other circulation features include the anticyclonic gyres which are shed by the Loop Current and travel westward where they eventually dissipate and a permanent cyclonic gyre in the Bay of Campeche. The Bay of Campeche in Mexico constitutes a major arm of the Gulf of Mexico.
How wide is Florida from east to west?
FloridaDimensions• Length447 mi (721 km)• Width361 mi (582 km)Elevation100 ft (30 m)50 more rows
How wide and long is Florida?
Florida is 500 miles long and 160 miles wide at its most distant points. The geographic center of Florida is located in Hernando County, 12 miles NNW of Brooksville. Florida is bordered by Georgia and Alabama to the north.
How wide is Florida Panhandle?
50 to 100 milesThe Florida Panhandle (also West Florida and Northwest Florida) is the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida; it is a strip of land roughly 200 miles (320 km) long and 50 to 100 miles (80 to 161 km) wide, lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south ...
How long does it take to drive from top of Florida to bottom?
around 13 hoursIt's super easy too, as Florida has great roads, is mostly flat and is a cheap place to hire a car and fill up the tank. It takes around 13 hours to drive from top to bottom, but it's a lot more fun to plan a list of things to do and turn it into a one-, two- or even a three-week trip.
Why Florida is so weird?
It's the combination of warm weather, humidity, hurricanes, swamps, native fauna that includes alligators, snakes, panthers, bobcats, fire ants, armadillos, spiders, cockroaches so big they could double as commuter airplanes, and other things that are humdrum for Florida but considered pretty “out there” for the rest ...
What is the length of Florida in miles?
Florida is 160 miles wide and 500 miles long at its most distant points. The state line of Florida starts at the Atlantic Ocean and stretches up to the River St Marys.
What is the nicest beach in the panhandle?
Best Beaches in the Florida PanhandleNavarre Beach. Uncrowded, unspoiled, and unhurried is a great way to describe this beautiful beach. ... Panama City Beach. Panama City Beach (PCB) is arguably the most famous beach in the Panhandle area. ... Henderson Beach State Park. ... Pensacola Beach. ... Miramar Beach.
Why do they call it a panhandle?
The northernmost area of Texas is called the Panhandle. It is straight and narrow like the handle of a pan with the broader area of the state below it, like the bottom of a pan. This region has mostly flat, grassy land or plains.
Why is the Florida Panhandle not Alabama?
The answer, once you've cut through the oddly complicated bit of history surrounding the creation of the state, is a simple one: Alabama lost out on its rightful share of Florida's Panhandle because our founding fathers decided to take something that didn't belong to them.
How long is Florida including the Keys?
180 milesThe Keys have a rich history, and are home to some fascinating marine facts. Here are eight interesting tidbits you may not know about the warm and sunny destination. In the region known as the Florida Keys, there are 800 keys in total, and they stretch over 180 miles.
How long is a car ride from Florida to California?
How long is the drive from Florida to California? The total driving time is 39 hours, 42 minutes. Your trip begins in the state of Florida.
What state is the longest to drive through north to south?
AlaskaIt would take nearly 24 hours and 1,073 miles to travel from Homer, Alaska, to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on the Arctic Ocean. North-south is the longest stretch of road in Alaska that you can travel in a substantially straight line.
What is the geography of Florida?
Geography of Florida. Much of the state of Florida is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Spanning two time zones, it extends to the northwest into a panhandle along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
How high is the elevation of Florida?
Much of Florida has an elevation of less than 12 feet (3.7 m), including many populated areas such as Miami which are located on the coast. Miami and other parts of south Florida are the most vulnerable regions in the world to rising sea levels associated with climate change.
What is the temperature in Florida in July?
Mean high temperatures for late July are primarily in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32–34 °C). Mean low temperatures for early to mid January range from the low 40s Fahrenheit (4–7 °C) in northern Florida to the mid-50s (≈13 °C) in southern Florida. Fall foliage in North Florida.
What is the climate of Florida?
The climate of Florida is tempered by the fact that no part of the state is very distant from the ocean. North of Lake Okeechobee, the prevalent climate is humid subtropical, while coastal areas south of the lake (including the Florida Keys) have a true tropical climate.
How high is Sugarloaf Mountain in Florida?
Much of Central and North Florida, typically 25 miles (40 km) or more away from the coastline, features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 100 to 250 feet (30 to 76 m). The highest point in peninsular Florida, Sugarloaf Mountain, is a 312-foot (95 m) peak in Lake County.
What is the highest point in Florida?
At 345 feet (105 m) above mean sea level, Britton Hill in northern Walton County is the highest point in Florida and the lowest known highpoint of any U.S. state. Much of the state south of Orlando is low-lying and fairly level; however, some places, such as Clearwater, feature vistas that rise 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) above the water. Much of Central and North Florida, typically 25 miles (40 km) or more away from the coastline, features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 100 to 250 feet (30 to 76 m). The highest point in peninsular Florida, Sugarloaf Mountain, is a 312-foot (95 m) peak in Lake County. Much of Florida has an elevation of less than 12 feet (3.7 m), including many populated areas such as Miami which are located on the coast. Miami and other parts of south Florida are the most vulnerable regions in the world to rising sea levels associated with climate change. Due to the vast amounts of limestone bedrock that Florida sits above, water is allowed to move relatively freely beneath dry land and to rise up to the surface. Water will also likely encroach from the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast, and up through the Everglades, endangering the plant biomass within its marsh communities .
How many airports are there in Florida?
It is near The Bahamas, and several Caribbean countries, particularly Cuba. Florida has 131 public airports, and more than 700 private airports, airstrips, heliports, and seaplane bases. Florida is one of the largest states east of the Mississippi River, and only Alaska and Michigan are larger in water area.
What is the only navigable cross Florida canal?
The Okeechobee Waterway is a pleasant and unusual trip for boaters through the heart of Old Florida. This peaceful waterway goes through miles of untouched Florida Everglades and thousands of acres of Old Florida scrub and ranchland. It is the only navigable cross Florida canal. Map of Okeechobee Waterway.
How many locks does the ACOE have?
The ACOE operates 5 navigation locks and dams along the Okeechobee Waterway. From East to West they are:
How many square miles is the Everglades project?
This project covers 16,000 square miles from just south of Orlando down through the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee and on south to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay in the Keys. This project is of vital importance to the Florida Everglades.
What river is called the dead river?
Natives of the Caloosahatchee River call these oxbows "dead river".
How many acres are there in Lake Okeechobee?
From Port Mayaca you cross 451,000 acre Lake Okeechobee by either a direct route to Clewiston, or a longer route along the south edge of the lake called the "rim route".
When was the Okeechobee Waterway opened?
The aerial view of the St Lucie Lock and Dam shows you the adjacent recreational area. The Okeechobee Waterway was officially opened on March 23, 1937.
How high can a sailboat mast pass through?
If you have a sailboat, you should be aware that the controlling height on the waterway is the 49' raised railway bridge at Port Mayaca. A mast as high as 55' can pass through if the boat is heeled over by the weight of water-filled barrels, a service provided by a guy working out of the Indiantown Marina.
How wide is the Straits of Florida?
Full Article. Straits of Florida, passage connecting the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 93 miles (150 km) at its narrowest width, between the Florida Keys, U.S., on the north and Cuba on the south, and it extends east to The Bahamas.
What is the velocity of the Florida current?
The straits mark the area where the Florida Current, the initial part of the Gulf Stream, flows eastward out of the Gulf of Mexico with a mean surface velocity of 4 to 6 miles (6.5 to 9.5 km) per hour.
What caused the Gulf of Mexico to form?
Geologists and other Earth scientists agree in general that the present Gulf of Mexico basin originated in Late Triassic time as the result of rifting within Pangea. The rifting was associated with zones of weakness within Pangea, including sutures where the Laurentia, South American, and African plates collided to create it. First, there was a Late Triassic-Early Jurassic phase of rifting during which rift valleys formed and filled with continental red beds. Second, as rifting progressed through Early and Middle Jurassic times, the continental crust was stretched and thinned. This thinning created a broad zone of transitional crust, which displays modest and uneven thinning with block faulting, and a broad zone of uniformly thinned transitional crust, which is half the typical 40- kilometer (25 mi) thickness of normal continental crust. It was at this time that rifting first created a connection to the Pacific Ocean across central Mexico and later eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. This flooded the opening basin to create the Gulf of Mexico as an enclosed marginal sea. While the Gulf of Mexico was a restricted basin, the subsiding transitional crust was blanketed by the widespread deposition of Louann Salt and associated anhydrite evaporites. During the Late Jurassic, continued rifting widened the Gulf of Mexico and progressed to the point that sea-floor spreading and formation of oceanic crust occurred. At this point, sufficient circulation with the Atlantic Ocean was established that the deposition of Louann Salt ceased. Seafloor spreading stopped at the end of Jurassic time, about 145–150 million years ago.
How is the Gulf of Mexico connected to the Atlantic Ocean?
It is connected to part of the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits between the U.S. and Cuba, and with the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatán Channel between Mexico and Cuba. Because of its narrow connection to the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf experiences very small tidal ranges.
How did the Gulf of Mexico form?
The Gulf of Mexico took shape approximately 300 million years ago as a result of plate tectonics. The Gulf of Mexico basin is roughly oval in shape and is approximately 810 nautical miles (1,500 km; 930 mi) wide. Its floor consists of sedimentary rocks and recent sediments. It is connected to part of the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits between the U.S. and Cuba, and with the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatán Channel between Mexico and Cuba. Because of its narrow connection to the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf experiences very small tidal ranges. The size of the Gulf basin is approximately 1.6 million km 2 (615,000 sq mi). Almost half of the basin consists of shallow continental-shelf waters. The volume of water in the basin is roughly 2.4 × 10 6 cubic kilometers (5.8 × 10 5 cubic miles). The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most important offshore petroleum -production regions in the world, making up one-sixth of the United States' total production.
How many states are there in the Gulf of Mexico?
The US portion of the Gulf coastline spans 1,680 miles (2,700 km), receiving water from 33 major rivers that drain 31 states.
What is the third coast of the United States?
The US states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, which border the Gulf on the north, are often referred to as the " Third Coast " of the United States (in addition to its Atlantic and Pacific coasts). The Gulf of Mexico took shape approximately 300 million years ago as a result of plate tectonics.
What are the states that border Mexico?
It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States; on the southwest and south by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo; and on the southeast by Cuba .
What is the name of the Gulf of Mexico?
Gulf of Mexico. / 25°N 90°W / 25; -90 ( Gulf of Mexico) / 25°N 90°W / 25; -90 ( Gulf of Mexico) The Gulf of Mexico ( Spanish: Golfo de México) is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast ...
What is the Gulf Coast of Florida known for?
Florida’s Gulf Coast, however, is responsible for those visions of smooth, sandy beaches and crystal, clear water. This is where you go to lounge in a hammock all day and forget your worldly woes.
Which coast is best for surfing?
The Atlantic Coast. Let’s start with the east coast. If you’re looking for some serious waves, then the Atlantic Coast has it. If you plan to do a lot of surfing, body surfing, or boogie boarding in your Florida life, then you’ll want to consider the east coast. It’s known for its massive waves and serious surfing activity.
Is Florida the ticket to paradise?
One thing people can’t argue with is the fact that Florida is the ticket to paradise. The only debate worth having is which side of Florida has the best beaches.
What are the advantages of the Atlantic coast?
Atlantic Coast Advantages. One of the most significant advantages that comes with choosing the Atlantic Coast side of Florida is that you are going to be able to enjoy the waves that crash on those beaches. If you are passionate about surfing, boogie boarding, or body surfing, this is a huge plus. In addition to having bigger waves, ...
Why is the Gulf Coast so popular?
Because there are fewer major cities and tourist attractions along the Gulf Coast, you will find that the communities on that side have less tourists and more reasonable housing, which makes the Gulf Coast a more appealing destination for many retirees.
Is Florida a good retirement state?
The decision to enjoy your retirement years here in Florida is one of the best ones you will ever make, but it is actually only the first in a series of choices that become more and more essential to finding the ideal retirement destination for you.
Is the west side of Florida white sand?
Another huge selling point for the Gulf Coast side is the fact that all of the beaches along the west side of Florida are absolutely stunning. You won't find white sand beaches anywhere in the world that are nicer than the ones right here along the Gulf Coast. Because there are fewer major cities and tourist attractions along the Gulf Coast, ...
