<span>The answer to the question is Continental deflection.
The Gulf Stream Current is deflected by North America, causing the current to change direction. This concept is referred as the </span><span>Continental deflection. </span><span>It occurs when a continent deflects the movement of a current (water or air). </span>Continental deflection can either be: Defelction by "rotation" and continental position <span>--->North Atlantic as an example </span>
<span>Deflection of equatorial currents by South America </span> <span>---> (G. of Mexico, Florida Current) ---> Gulf Stream </span>