Google Maps Renames 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' Following Executive Order
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| Google Maps |
In a significant update, Google Maps has altered the designation of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users within the United States. This change aligns with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness."
Background of the Executive Order
On his inauguration day, President Trump signed Executive Order 14172, which mandates the renaming of certain national landmarks to honor American heritage. Key directives include:
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: The order instructs the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to update federal documents and maps to reflect the new name, "Gulf of America."
Reinstating Mount McKinley: The order also calls for North America's highest peak, previously known as Denali, to revert to its former name, Mount McKinley, honoring the 25th U.S. President, William McKinley.
Implementation by Google Maps
In response to the executive order, Google announced adjustments to its mapping service:
U.S. Users: Individuals accessing Google Maps from within the United States will now see the body of water labeled as the "Gulf of America."
Mexican Users: Users in Mexico will continue to see the traditional name, "Gulf of Mexico."
Global Users: For users outside the U.S. and Mexico, Google Maps displays both names: "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)."
Google's naming conventions are based on official government sources and local naming preferences. The company stated, "When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too."
Reactions to the Name Change
The renaming has elicited varied responses:
Mexican Government: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed disapproval, asserting that the U.S. lacks the authority to rename international waters. She humorously suggested that North America be labeled as "América Mexicana" on maps.
Public Feedback: The change has sparked discussions on social media and various platforms, with opinions divided on the appropriateness and implications of the renaming.
Google Calendar Adjustments
In a related development, Google Calendar has ceased automatically marking the start of certain cultural observances, including Pride Month and Black History Month. A Google spokesperson explained that maintaining hundreds of such events manually and consistently on a global scale was not sustainable. The company now displays holidays marked by timeanddate.com, a Norwegian website that provides time zone comparisons and calendar services.
These recent actions by Google reflect its policy of updating products in accordance with official government directives and the challenges of maintaining global consistency. The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and the adjustments in Google Calendar highlight the complex interplay between technology, governance, and cultural recognition.