Google Aligns with Presidential Directive: 'Gulf of Mexico' Becomes 'Gulf of America' on Maps
Annapurna Rai | Jan 29, 2025, 22:00 IST
( Image credit : TOI.in )
Google announced that it will rename the 'Gulf of Mexico' to the 'Gulf of America' on mapping platforms in the U.S. following an executive order from President Trump. The change aims to honor American heritage, but it may not be widely adopted internationally, as Mexico and other countries have shown resistance.
In a significant move reflecting recent executive directives, Google has announced plans to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" on its mapping platforms for users within the United States. This decision follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, who emphasized the gulf's pivotal role in shaping America's future and its global economic standing.
The renaming process is set to take effect once the U.S. Geographic Names Information System updates its records. While U.S. users will soon see "Gulf of America" on Google Maps, the designation will remain "Gulf of Mexico" for users in Mexico. International users may encounter both names, depending on regional settings.
This change is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to restore names that honor American heritage. Another notable alteration includes reverting Alaska's Denali back to its former name, Mount McKinley, honoring the 25th U.S. president, William McKinley.
The renaming has sparked discussions among cartographers and mapping platforms. Volunteer contributors on OpenStreetMap are debating the adoption of the new nomenclature, considering factors such as the extent of the name change and its applicability to global users. The consensus leans toward maintaining original names unless the new terms gain widespread acceptance. Internationally, the response has been mixed. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico will not acknowledge the new name, and other countries have shown reluctance to adopt the change.
This development underscores the complexities involved in geographic naming conventions and the challenges of balancing national directives with global recognition. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how widely the "Gulf of America" designation will be adopted beyond U.S. borders.
The renaming process is set to take effect once the U.S. Geographic Names Information System updates its records. While U.S. users will soon see "Gulf of America" on Google Maps, the designation will remain "Gulf of Mexico" for users in Mexico. International users may encounter both names, depending on regional settings.
This change is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to restore names that honor American heritage. Another notable alteration includes reverting Alaska's Denali back to its former name, Mount McKinley, honoring the 25th U.S. president, William McKinley.
The renaming has sparked discussions among cartographers and mapping platforms. Volunteer contributors on OpenStreetMap are debating the adoption of the new nomenclature, considering factors such as the extent of the name change and its applicability to global users. The consensus leans toward maintaining original names unless the new terms gain widespread acceptance. Internationally, the response has been mixed. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico will not acknowledge the new name, and other countries have shown reluctance to adopt the change.
This development underscores the complexities involved in geographic naming conventions and the challenges of balancing national directives with global recognition. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how widely the "Gulf of America" designation will be adopted beyond U.S. borders.