In a surprising turn of events, Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of USA” on its Maps platform for users within the United States. This change follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a series of geographical renamings since he took office.
The Name Change
Google announced the name change in a blog post, explaining that users within the United States will see “Gulf of USA,” while users in Mexico will continue to see “Gulf of Mexico.” For the rest of the world, both names will be available. This change aligns with Google’s policy of following the official geographic designations of the U.S. government through the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Reactions and Controversies
Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico has sparked criticism both domestically and internationally. Indigenous groups in Alaska have voiced their discontent with the decision to revert the name of Denali back to its former name, Mount McKinley—another change driven by Trump. Additionally, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously suggested that the United States should be called “Mexican America,” referencing a pre-1848 map when a third of Mexico’s territory was annexed by the U.S.
Geopolitical Implications
The Gulf of Mexico, now known as the Gulf of USA on Google Maps for U.S. users, is a vital source of natural resources and economic activities, including fishing, electricity generation, and maritime transport. This renaming could have diplomatic implications, as the Gulf is shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.
Trump’s Renaming Policy
Trump’s executive order, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” affects more than just the Gulf of Mexico. It also includes reverting the name of Denali to Mount McKinley and other geographical changes that aim to highlight American history and influence. These changes have been met with skepticism and criticism from various groups and nations.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of USA is just one of many controversial moves by the Trump administration. As Google implements these changes on its Maps platform, it remains to be seen how they will affect diplomatic relations and public perception. What is clear is that Trump’s renaming policy will continue to be a topic of debate and controversy in the years to come.