How many U.S. states border the Gulf of Mexico?

The correct answer is based on the geography of the United States and the specific states that have coastlines along the Gulf of Mexico. The five states that border the Gulf are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Each of these states has a portion of its coastline situated along the Gulf, contributing to economic activities such as fishing, shipping, and tourism.

Understanding why this is the right answer involves recognizing the geographic features of the U.S. coastline. While there are numerous states along the eastern and southern parts of the country, only these five specifically touch the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The options reflecting numbers higher or lower than five represent either the inclusion of states that do not have Gulf coastlines or a miscount of those that do. This reinforces the importance of knowing U.S. geography and helps to clarify the significance of this body of water and the states that engage with it directly.