Largest tributaries
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Perciformes - Perches
Carangiformes - Jacks
Istiophoriformes - Barracudas
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes
Lampriformes - Lamprids
Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Labriformes - Wrasses
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Gadiformes - Cods
Echinorhiniformes - Bramble sharks
Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels
Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers
Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes
Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes
Polymixiiformes - Beardfishes
Beryciformes - Sawbellies
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Siluriformes - Catfishes
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Torpediniformes - Electric rays
Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks
Albuliformes - Bonefishes
Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes
Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays
Atheriniformes - Silversides
The Gulf of California (Spanish: Golfo de California), also known as the Sea of Cortés (Mar de Cortés) or less commonly as the Vermilion Sea (Mar Bermejo), is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. It is bordered by the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa with a coastline of approximately 4,000 km (2,500 mi).
Rivers that flow into the Gulf of California include the Colorado, Fuerte, Mayo, Sinaloa, Sonora, and the Yaqui.
The surface of the gulf is about 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi).
Maximum depths exceed 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) because of the complex geology, linked to plate tectonics.
The gulf is thought to be one of the most diverse seas on Earth and is home to more than 5,000 species of micro-invertebrates. Parts of the Gulf of California are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
