Straits of Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Straits of Florida |
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Florida Straits from space
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 Straits of Florida
Location in Caribbean
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Straits and channels around the Bahama Islands.
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| Coordinates | 24°00′00″N 80°50′00″W / 24.00000°N 80.83333°W |
| Max. width | 150 kilometres (93 mi) |
| Average depth | 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) |
The Straits of Florida is a narrow body of water. It is also called the Florida Straits or Florida Strait. This strait is located south of the North American mainland. It connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean.
The Straits of Florida lies between the Florida Keys in the U.S. and the island of Cuba. At its narrowest point, between Key West and Cuba, it is about 93 miles (150 kilometers) wide. The deepest parts of the strait are around 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) deep. This important strait carries the Florida Current, which is the beginning of the powerful Gulf Stream.
Contents
Looking for Oil and Gas
People have explored the Straits of Florida for oil and natural gas. From 1947 to 1962, several wells were drilled near the Florida Keys. These wells did not find any oil.
The United States and Cuba share this area. They have an agreement from 1977. This agreement sets the boundary between their special ocean zones. These zones are called "Exclusive Economic Zones." In these zones, countries have special rights to explore and use ocean resources.
Oil Exploration Near Cuba
Cuba has some oil fields close to its northern coast. These fields are within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the shore. Experts believe there might be a lot more oil and natural gas in the area. Most of this oil is thought to be offshore.
Finding oil near Florida has been a big topic. Some people worried about oil drilling close to the Florida coast. In 2004, a Spanish oil company drilled in deep waters near Cuba. They found some oil, but it was not enough to be worth taking out. Later, other countries like Brazil and Russia also made agreements with Cuba to look for oil. However, some of these plans did not work out.
Oil Exploration Near the Bahamas
Companies have also looked for oil in the waters near the Bahamas. This area is north of Cuba and southeast of Florida. The government of the Bahamas is careful about allowing drilling. They are talking with Cuba, the United States, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These talks are about setting clear boundaries for their Exclusive Economic Zones.
Images for kids
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Florida Straits from space
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Straits and channels around the Bahama Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Estrecho de Florida para niños
