MEXICO, GULF OF, a basin of the Atlantic ocean, the estimated extent of which is 800,000 English sq.m., is closed in by the United States on the n., by- Mexico on the w. and s., and its outlet on the e. is narrowed by the jutting peninsulas of yucatan and Florida, which approach within 500 m. of each other. Right in the middle of this entrance is planted the island of Cuba, dividing the strait into two—the strait of Florida, 120 wide, between Cuba and Florida, and the strait of Yucatan, 105 m. wide, between Cuba and Yucatan. The former, or northern, entrance connects the gulf with the Atlantic ocean; the latter, or southern, with the Caribbean sea. The depth of water is supposed nowhere to exceed three-fourths of a mile, yet the gulf contains few islands—the Florida Keys, the deltas of the 'Mississippi, and a few on the coast of Yucatan, being the most important of them. The shores, which are very sinuous, form
numerous bays, the largest of which is the bay of Campeachy (q.v.). The coasts are mostly low and sandy or marshy, and are lined with numerous lagoons; good har bors are consequently- not numerous, the best being those of Vera Cruz, New Orleans, Pensacola, and Havana. The gulf is visited by violent northern gales called nortes, -which prevail from September to March, when they attain their maximum force and then immediately' terminate. The most remarkable feature in connection with the gulf of 31exico is the gulf stream (q.v.), which enters it by the southern channel, passes round it. aud emerges through the strait of Florida. Owing partly to the presence of this heated current, the temperature of the gulf is 8° or 9° higher than that of the Atlantic in the same latitude