Google Maps formally updated the title of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Monday.
Amongst many different govt orders, President Donald Trump decreed on the day of his inauguration that the Gulf of Mexico could be renamed the Gulf of America. This govt order additionally reverses an Obama-era transfer to rename Mount McKinley to Denali, the title that Indigenous individuals have used for hundreds of years. Equally, the title Gulf of Mexico has been essentially the most prevalent name for the physique of water for the reason that sixteenth century.
The president stated that these names are a part of a gesture towards “[restoring] American satisfaction within the historical past of American greatness.”
As of Monday afternoon, Google Maps customers in the US will see the Gulf of Mexico’s title modified to be the Gulf of America. Worldwide customers will see each names, whereas Mexican customers will solely see the Gulf of Mexico. Google already stated in January that it might adjust to Trump’s govt order as soon as the place names had been up to date in the US’ Geographic Names Data System.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated she would ship a letter to Google questioning the corporate’s resolution to rename the Gulf of Mexico on Google Maps. However Google’s resolution to vary the title of the gulf is in line with its present insurance policies round how one can navigate naming variations between nations. On cellular, Google adjustments Maps to align with the consumer’s nation location, decided by the consumer’s working system, SIM, and community.
Whereas Google has complied with Trump’s order, Apple has not but up to date the title of the Gulf of Mexico or Denali on its Maps app. When looking “Gulf of America” on Apple Maps, the app didn’t yield any outcomes.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner each attended Trump’s inauguration; Prepare dinner personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, whereas Google additionally made a $1 million contribution.
Replace, 2/10/25, 9:30 PM ET with further data from Google.