Tech
Google Maps Renames ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to ‘Gulf of America’ Following Executive Order
In a surprising geopolitical development, Google Maps has officially updated its platform to reflect the renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” for users within the United States. This change comes in response to an executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been a vocal advocate for the renaming. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved the alteration, prompting digital platforms like Google to follow suit.
The Reason Behind the Renaming
The effort to rename under Trump’s leadership is an element of his larger strategy to “reinstate American identity and geopolitical power. As the executive order states, the name “Gulf of America” is more fitting, given the historical, cultural and strategic importance of the region to the country. Trump claimed that the term “Gulf of Mexico” no longer reflects the current geopolitical dynamics and argued that the new name would instill a sense of national pride.
Google’s Response and Implementation
Google announced the update in an official statement on X (the former Twitter). The tech giant stated that its policy is to follow the directives of the authorites and established name authorities.
“We regularly update place names based on authoritative sources, including the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This update aligns with changes approved by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names,” the statement says.
This transition is currently on display to US users, while global versions of Google Maps have yet to switch to reflecting the updated “Gulf of Mexico” designation.
Political and International Reactions
The renaming has generated waves of political dialogue both within and outside the borders of the Philippines. Although U.S. policymakers pushing the change have touted it as a step to boost national pride, critics contend that such actions are superfluous and politically driven.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also reacted very severely, saying, “The Gulf of Mexico” is heart and soul.of our history and heritage. No matter single choice, Mexico and the international community will still call it back to its proper title.
Internationally, geopolitical experts view the move as symbolic, with limited practical impact. Nevertheless, it leads to the question concerning the degree to which uses of national governmental authority are applicable to world geographic nomenclature.
Google can’t decide if it’s the Gulf of America or the Gulf of Mexico pic.twitter.com/SB91o9qYSW
— greg (@greg16676935420) February 10, 2025
Historical Context and Similar Changes
Not to mention this is not the first time that geographic names have been at the center of political issues. In 2015 the Obama administration formally changed the name of Mount McKinley in Alaska to Denali, recognizing the indigenous Alaskan heritage (T harkl et al, 1992, in reference to the Denali chapter, IHS, 2015). Curiously, the existing executive orders of President Trump also include a proposal to reinstate the former name of Denali (Mount McKinley) based on a historical precedent.
These renaming exercises provide examples of how political beliefs may influence cultural and historical accounts, even affecting the name of a place.
Impact on Digital Platforms and Users
Google’s update is also in line with the trend of tech companies on aligning their service with the policy of the governmental affairs. U.S. accessors of Google Maps will now see “Gulf of America“, while international users may keep using “Gulf of Mexico“. The dual naming system could create confusion, especially for educational, navigational, and geopolitical contexts.
Other tech platforms (e.g., Apple Maps, Bing Maps) are also expected to replicate this, but with updates from the GNIS database if necessary.
Conclusion
By renaming the gulf of Mexico Gulf of America, the source stresses the complex relationship between politics, technology and cultural identity. While the change may be symbolic, it serves as a reminder of how political decisions can ripple through global platforms, influencing perceptions and historical narratives.