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The Straits of Florida

The Florida straits, the L-shaped channel between southeastern Florida and the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys and Cuba

The Straits of Florida, Florida Straits, Florida Strait, or Strait of Havami is a strait located south-southeast of the North American mainland, generally accepted to be between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and between the Florida Keys and Cuba. The strait carries the Florida Current, the beginning of the Gulf Stream, from the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida Straits from Space

Rights to oil and natural gas in the Florida Straits were divided between the United States and Cuba by a 1977 treaty. Some allege that Cuba is actively leasing tracts in its sector for exploration while the United States is not due to environmental and tourist concerns.They also allege that geological studies project substantial reserves. However, these allegations are unsupported and doubtful because most of the Strait is off the continental shelves of both the U.S. and Cuba; and the geology of the two sides of the strait are dissimilar.

See also

Cuba portal

• Florida Straits, a movie starring Fred Ward.

Coordinates: 23°56′03″N 80°55′33″W / 23.93417°N 80.92583°W / 23.93417; -80.92583