In a move that has sparked widespread debate, Google Maps has announced that it will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for U.S. users, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The decision aligns with the administration’s directive to change geographic names in official government sources, including the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Google Maps has long followed a policy of updating place names based on official government sources. According to a company statement posted on X, Google applies name changes once they are reflected in government records. The Gulf of Mexico will retain its name for users in Mexico, while users in other countries will see both names listed.
This isn’t the first time Google has adjusted geographic names in response to government decisions. In 2015, the platform updated North America’s tallest peak to Denali after the Obama administration restored its Indigenous name from Mount McKinley. Under Trump’s directive, Mount McKinley is set to return to federal maps, and Google has confirmed it will reflect the change. Both changes stem from an executive action that Trump signed shortly after taking office last week, saying the changes “honor American greatness.”
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico has drawn mixed reactions. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the move, jokingly suggesting that North America should be renamed “América Mexicana” in retaliation. "By the way, we are also going to ask for Mexican America to appear on the map," she remarked. Sheinbaum also sent a letter to Google contesting the name change, arguing that the renaming would only apply within 12 nautical miles from the coastline, citing Mexico’s sovereignty in the area. She further proposed that when searching for "América Mexicana" on Google, the map from 1607, which labeled parts of North America as “Mexican America,” should appear.
Critics argue that renaming a body of water with deep historical and cultural significance is unnecessary and politically motivated. Supporters of the change believe it reinforces American national identity and aligns with Trump’s broader “America First” agenda. The executive order states, “It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes.”
This decision highlights the influence of private-sector bureaucracy in shaping public understanding of geography and history. As a dominant mapping platform, Google’s choices impact how millions perceive global landmarks. The situation also intersects with the commerce clause, as multinational tech firms must balance compliance with U.S. directives while adhering to international regulations.
Government agencies will soon begin updating official maps, and Google’s implementation will likely evolve based on domestic and international reactions. Legal challenges could arise, questioning the executive branch’s authority over geographic renaming. If the decision faces significant opposition, future administrations might reverse it. The international response, particularly from Mexico and global mapping authorities, will play a crucial role in determining whether this change holds or fades as a temporary political move.
Sources:
https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/google-maps-trump-gulf-of-mexico-america-denali-rcna189577
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/americas/mexicans-mock-trump-gulf-of-mexico-intl-latam/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-maps-us-gulf-of-mexico-america-denali-mount-mckinley/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/technology/google-maps-gulf-of-america-trump.html
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/30/americas/mexico-letter-google-gulf-of-america-intl-latam/index.html
2 comments:
Interestingly, Trump deems this such a pressing matter that it’s one of priorities for his first month of office.
Because the president appoints the secretary of the Interior Department, who collaborates with other agencies to then appoint the Board on Geographic Names, the president does have influence on matters like these, such as when President Obama appointed Sally Jewell to secretary of the department and then they called for Mt. McKinley to be renamed to Denali to honor Alaskan natives. The Gulf of Mexico, though, is beyond US borders, and thus the Board doesn’t have the exact same power of implementation (that’s why the name change will only be seen within America). However, the Interior Department announced that they’ll proudly implement the name changes of the Gulf and Mt. McKinley under Trump’s orders, since it’s led by Trump-pick Doug Burgum.
I understand patriotism and having national pride, however, I think what Trump sometimes fails to remember or simply chooses to ignore is that there are other countries and cultures in the world and the US is just one part of the puzzle piece, no matter how “great” we are.
This is completely done out of selfishness. There is no reason to change the name. It does not honor American heroes anymore than the country of America does. The Gulf of Mexico was literally a name first adopted by the US Board of Geographic Names. It also seems strange that an American president would even have the power over the naming of geographic landmarks. I think that in the future it will get changed back but nobody is gonna try to battle Trump on it right now because it’s just not worth it. Other countries recognize that America will do whatever to make itself the center of attention so they're not gonna waste their time fighting with American leaders.
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