Bay of Campeche

Bay of Campeche

The Bay of Campeche (Spanish: Bahía de Campeche) (sometimes confused with Sonda de Campeche) is the southern bight of the Gulf of Mexico. It is surrounded on three sides by the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. It was named by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Antonio de Alaminos during their expedition in 1517.

Oil resource

The Cantarell Complex of five oil fields lies beneath the Bay of Campeche. It is the second most productive oil field in the world, supplying about two thirds of Mexico's crude oil output. On June 3, 1979, Ixtoc I, an exploratory oil well, located in the bay, suffered a blowout and became the largest unintentional oil spill in history. The area of the bay is 6,000 miles (9,700 km) and maximum depth of the bay is approximately 170 feet (52 m).

Miscellaneous information

Bay of Campeche

During the months of June and July, the Bay of Campeche is considered one of the "hot" breeding spots for Atlantic hurricanes.^[1] The bay is also considered the eastern border on the main migration routes for birds in the Americas.^[2]

Notes

1. ^ Hauptmann, David. "Where do hurricanes form and where do they strike?". http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/stuproj/amets00/hauptmann/location.html. Retrieved on 2006-03-27. 
2. ^ "Routes of Migration". Migration of Birds. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/migratio/routes.htm. Retrieved on 2006-03-27. 

Coordinates: 20°00′N 94°00′W / 20°N 94°W / 20; -94

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