Controversial Change Sparks International Pushback as Mexico and Allies Vow to Retain Original Name
In a move that has sparked both national pride and international controversy, Google Maps has updated its platform to display the name ‘Gulf of America’ for users in the United States, replacing the long-standing ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ The change comes in response to an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump last month, aimed at honoring “American Greatness” and reflecting the gulf’s significance to the country.
The executive order, issued on January 20, also sought to rename Denali, North America’s tallest peak, back to Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th US president, William McKinley. Google, which typically updates its maps to reflect official government name changes, announced the adjustment in a blog post on Monday. The tech giant explained that the update followed the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) officially changing the name to ‘Gulf of America.’
However, the change is not universal. While US users will now see ‘Gulf of America,’ Mexican users will continue to see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ In other countries, the platform will display both names: ‘Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).’ Google stated that the name displayed depends on the user’s location settings, a practice it also applies to other geographically disputed features, such as the ‘Sea of Japan (East Sea).’
The renaming has drawn sharp criticism from Mexico and other nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected the change, stating that Mexico and the global community will continue to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico. “The United States cannot unilaterally change the name of an international body of water that has been recognized for centuries,” she asserted.
The Gulf, which connects to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, borders the eastern coast of Mexico, the southeastern US, and western Cuba. Its name has been used by European explorers and mapmakers for over 400 years. Countries such as the UK and Canada have also opposed the change, vowing to retain the original name.
Meanwhile, the renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley has faced significant resistance, particularly from Alaska. Last week, the Alaska Legislature passed a resolution urging the US government to keep the name Denali, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance to Alaska Natives. The name, meaning ‘the high one,’ has been used for centuries and holds deep meaning for indigenous communities.
While Google has implemented the Gulf’s name change on its platform, the Denali renaming has yet to be reflected, highlighting the ongoing debate over the executive order.
The controversy underscores the challenges of altering long-established geographic names, particularly those with international and cultural significance. As the world reacts to these changes, the debate over who has the authority to rename such landmarks—and why—continues to unfold. For now, the Gulf of Mexico remains the Gulf of America for US users, but its original name endures elsewhere, a testament to its enduring legacy.
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