Google Maps users in the United States will soon notice a significant change in their app: the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the Gulf of America.
The change follows an executive order by President Donald Trump and will be implemented once the update is finalized in the U.S. Geographic Names Information System. The rebranding, announced by Google on Monday, marks a controversial renaming spree initiated by Trump.
The Gulf of Mexico name will remain in use in Mexican versions of Google Maps, and international users will see both names displayed side by side.
“As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America,” the Interior Department stated in a statement last week. Google responded by noting that the change complies with its longstanding policy of aligning map labeling with updates in official government databases.
Why Is Trump Renaming the Gulf of Mexico?
The executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico was one of several signed by Trump on his first day back in office.
Other measures included renaming Denali, North America’s tallest peak, back to Mount McKinley—reversing a name change by Barack Obama in 2015.
The order to rename the Gulf of Mexico was justified by the area being an “integral asset” to the United States, yielding around 14% of U.S. crude oil production, “vibrant American fisheries,” and it being “a favorite destination of American tourism.”
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested that North America be renamed “Mexican America” as a nod to historic maps that carried such labels.
The Gulf of Mexico, or Gulf of America under its new U.S. designation, has long been a critical area for commerce, energy and environmental stewardship.
Unlike land, much of the Gulf is federal property managed by the U.S. government. The offshore areas of the Gulf are governed by extensive regulations and agreements concerning fishing, drilling and shipping rights.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Gulf generates billions of dollars annually through activities such as offshore oil drilling.
Environmental advocates worry that renaming the Gulf to emphasize “America” could signal intentions to further exploit these resources, according to some reports.
Where Is the Gulf of Mexico?
Stretching over 600,000 square miles, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the southeastern United States, eastern Mexico and western Cuba. Its waters provide essential ecosystems and are a major driver of the economies of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
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