What is Gulf-stream ?

The Gulf Stream is a powerful, fast-moving warm ocean current located in the North Atlantic Ocean [2]. It originates in the warm Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, flowing northwards along the eastern coast of North America before crossing the Atlantic toward Europe as the North Atlantic Drift [t1][t6]. As a western boundary current, it plays a critical role in global climate by transporting heat from tropical regions toward the poles [t3][t8]. This heat transfer significantly raises the temperatures of coastal districts in North America and Western Europe, keeping ports ice-free even at high latitudes [c2][c4]. In the North Atlantic, it eventually meets the cold Labrador Current near Newfoundland, creating dense fogs and rich fishing grounds due to the mixing of warm and cold waters [c1][c3].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Grand Banks – The Richest Fishing Grounds on Earth > p. 492
2. [2] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 12: Water (Oceans) > Factors Affecting Temperature Distribution > p. 103