The Gulf of Mexico is set to be officially renamed the Gulf of America on Google Maps for users in the United States as a result of an executive order from President Donald Trump. This change follows a flurry of actions taken by Trump on his first day back in office, initiating a rebranding of significant geographic features. Alongside this designation, North America’s tallest peak, previously known as Denali, will revert to its former name, Mount McKinley.

Google has stated that it will implement these changes in its maps once the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is updated with the new designations from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which has confirmed the new names will apply solely within the United States. While Mexican users will continue to see "Gulf of Mexico," international users will reflect both names on their maps, according to the company. Google emphasized that it adheres to a long-standing practice of reflecting names that have been formally updated by official government sources.

President Trump declared this name change was a way to honor America’s economic resources, claiming that the Gulf represents a critical component of the country’s economy. Meanwhile, Mexican officials and citizens have reacted with skepticism and mockery; Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reasserted that the Gulf will remain known as the Gulf of Mexico for Mexico and the rest of the world. Many Mexicans expressed their disbelief on social media, leading to humorous reactions about Trump’s decision.

Despite the uproar, the U.S. federal government and military are proceeding with the name changes internally. As mentioned in an article by Business Insider, the name changes will require updates across various government departments, making it a complex process rather than a simple renaming.

This incident mirrors previous geographical disputes managed by Google Maps, echoing similar naming conventions applied in international contexts such as the contentious naming of the Persian Gulf. As such, it highlights the implications of political changes on geographical identities.

For more information, you can check the full article on VOA News, along with coverage from AP News.