Controversial Google Maps Rename: Gulf of Mexico Becomes Gulf of America for U.S. Users
In a move that has sparked controversy, Google Maps has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users in the United States, following an executive order from the Trump administration.
This decision is part of a broader initiative to update several geographic names in official U.S. federal databases, including the renaming of Denali Mountain back to its previous title, Mount McKinley. The Trump administration’s directive seeks to revert some names to those used in earlier times, such as Mount McKinley, which was renamed Denali during the Obama administration in 2015.
Read More: Pakistani Startups Target Expansion into Gulf Region
Google’s decision to follow this official policy was announced on X (formerly Twitter), where they stated: “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” The changes to Google Maps were made after the updates to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), as directed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The renaming of Denali, North America’s highest peak, back to Mount McKinley has already sparked opposition, particularly from Alaskan lawmakers and native Alaskan communities who advocate for the preservation of the original name.
While U.S. users will now see the Gulf of America, this change does not apply universally. Mexican users of Google Maps will still see Gulf of Mexico as per the country’s naming conventions. In some instances, both names may appear side by side. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly criticized the U.S. decision, poking fun at the Trump administration’s attempt to rename the body of water.
The renaming has already become a point of contention in international politics, with critics questioning the implications of such name changes.
