By Charlie / February 14, 2025
Google Maps is set to undergo a significant update, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This change comes in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, who has framed the renaming as a way to celebrate the nation’s heritage and achievements.
In a statement on X, Google explained that it follows official government sources when updating names on its platform. The change will take effect once the Geographic Names Information System, a federal database, is updated to reflect the new name.
Alongside the Gulf’s renaming, Google will also revert the name of Alaska’s highest peak from Denali back to Mount McKinley. The mountain was renamed Denali in 2015 by former President Barack Obama as a gesture of respect to the region’s Indigenous population. However, Trump’s executive order criticized this decision, calling it a slight against President William McKinley’s legacy.
The order praised McKinley’s contributions to the nation, including his economic policies and his tragic assassination, which Trump described as an attack on American values. It also highlighted the Gulf of Mexico’s economic significance to the United States, justifying its renaming as a way to celebrate the country’s greatness.
Google noted that the changes will only be visible to users in the United States. International users will see both the old and new names, as the platform typically displays local official names based on the user’s location.
The announcement has sparked a range of reactions, with some supporting the move as a celebration of American history and others criticizing it as unnecessary and politically motivated. Regardless of opinions, the updates mark a significant shift in how geographic landmarks are named and recognized on Google Maps.
