Key Takeaways:

• Google Maps will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America following President Trump's executive order.
• The changes will only be visible to users in the U.S., while the name will remain unchanged for users in Mexico.
• Controversy has arisen, with the Mexican government questioning the authority to rename the Gulf.
• Google stated its long-standing practice of reflecting changes from official government sources.
• The name change extends to reverting Denali back to Mount McKinley in the U.S.

In a significant shift, Google Maps is set to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in compliance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This decision comes shortly after Trump took office, promising to implement the changes to honor American heritage, as noted by the Guardian.

Specifically, the change will apply to Google Maps users within the United States, while users in Mexico will still see the traditional name on their maps. Outside of these regions, both names are expected to be displayed, adhering to Google's convention of providing official local names based on user location. Google reinforced its policy in a post on X, stating, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”

President Trump’s directive will also see Denali revert to its former designation, Mount McKinley, a move that has been met with criticism from various quarters. The mountain was renamed Denali in 2015 to honor its Native Alaskan heritage; the revival of the old name has sparked backlash for perceived insensitivity to Indigenous history and culture.

In reaction to the name change, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed strong concerns, indicating that changes to the names of international seas should be made through international organizations, not unilaterally by another country. In a humorous counter to Trump’s remarks about the Gulf’s name, Sheinbaum jokingly suggested renaming the broader North American region to América Mexicana, referencing historical cartographic nomenclature. As reported by The Hill, she has also stated that Mexico will formally request that this name be included on Google Maps.

This order represents not just a geographical renaming but also carries significant implications for U.S.-Mexico relations, reflecting broader tensions under the Trump administration, including proposals for tariffs and immigration restrictions. The reaction from Mexico suggests a mixture of ridicule and serious consideration of how to handle this perceived affront to national identity and sovereignty. The renaming initiative is also seen as a trial for how such decisions impact diplomatic dialogue and public sentiment in both nations.

As Google awaits updates to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System to synchronize its map names, the international response to these changes remains to be fully seen. The ongoing negotiations and dialogue between Google and the Mexican government will undoubtedly shape both the commercial and political landscapes in the coming months.

For more details, visit Business Insider and CNN.