Gulf of Mexico is renamed the Gulf of America for U.S. users in Google Maps
The reversal comes after the executive order; spurred transnational discussion
According to screenshots from users on social media, the latest version of Google Maps in the United States refers to the body of water as the “Gulf of America” instead of its longtime name, the “Gulf of Mexico. ” This change is in accordance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which sought to stress American heritage in place names.
On January 5, 2025, the President shall sign an executive order: (i) Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America to reflect the gulf’s importance to the U.S. economy and world commerce; (ii) Renaming the weight of sea level rise as a threat to the Gulf of America to account for the physical nature of the gulf.
“Our plan is to roll this out on our platform to users in the U.S. and to keep the original name visible to users in Mexico,” Google said. Both names will be displayed for international users.
Reactions to this decision have varied widely. Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, was critical, saying the United States does not have the right to unilaterally rename a body of water that it shares with other countries. She said she would send a letter to Google asking the company to reconsider the change.
Experts in international law say that a country can rename geographical features within its own jurisdiction but that changing the name of international bodies of water is a complicated matter that usually requires wider consensus. The International Hydrographic Organization, which standardizes maritime names, acknowledges the Gulf of Mexico as the official name.
The action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restore names reflecting American heritage. Along with renaming the Gulf, the executive order also restored the name “Mount McKinley” to North America’s highest peak, which had been known for decades as Denali.
When digital platforms such as Google Maps implement these modifications, individuals may see differences in geographical names based on their location settings. This illustrates the power politics can have in shaping our perceptions of geography, both literally and metaphorically, in a world where national identities are in debate and cooperation goes on around the globe.
When geographical features are renamed, the consequences can be wide-reaching, impacting everything from international relations to cultural perception to navigation practices. Consequently, decision-makers, tech corporations, and the international community need to have frank conversations and explore different viewpoints when taking actions of this nature.
