Google Maps Renames Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’
Google made headlines on Monday with its announcement to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Denali mountain in Google Maps, aligning with changes directed by the Trump Administration. This decision comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week, altering the names of several American landmarks. Following the order, the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the official name changes, prompting America’s geographic naming bodies to swiftly implement Trump’s directive.
According to Google, the renaming process is based on updates from official government sources, a practice the company has long followed. The Gulf of Mexico will soon be referred to as the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users, a novel designation introduced by the Trump administration. Additionally, Denali, North America’s tallest summit, will revert to its previous name of Mount McKinley in Google Maps for global users. Originally named Mount McKinley in 1917 to honor President William McKinley, the mountain was renamed Denali during the Obama administration in 2015. Despite objections from some Alaskan senators, the Trump administration has opted to reinstate the original name.
However, the name change will not be universal across all Google Maps users worldwide. For areas where geographic names are disputed between countries, Google Maps displays each country’s official name for its citizens. This means that Mexican users will continue to see the Gulf of Mexico in Google Maps, as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum scoffed at the proposed name change by Trump. In other regions, both America and Mexico’s names for the gulf will be presented side by side on the map.
Google has indicated that these alterations will be implemented once the official American naming database, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), is updated. Despite the Interior Department’s confirmation of the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley’s new monikers, GNIS still lists both as the Gulf of Mexico and Denali on Monday evening.
Senior reporter Maxwell Zeff from TechCrunch, renowned for his coverage of AI and emerging technologies, emphasized the significance of Google’s decision in reflecting official governmental changes. With a diverse background covering tech developments, Zeff brings a unique perspective to the evolving landscape of digital mapping. When not immersed in reporting, he enjoys exploring San Francisco’s culinary delights and outdoor offerings, showcasing the vibrant Bay Area lifestyle.
In the ever-evolving realm of digital mapping and geographical nomenclature, Google’s latest move underscores the intersection of technology and governmental directives, reshaping how users perceive and interact with the world around them.
