Google Maps has sparked controversy by changing the name of the body of water known as the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for users in the United States. This update, first noticed by users accessing the map from within the US, reflects a recent decree by former US President Donald Trump. The alteration has ignited discussions about geographical names, political influence on maps, and the role of mapping services in reflecting – or shaping – geopolitical narratives.
According to Google, this change is part of their “long-standing practice of implementing name changes when they are updated in official government sources.” In a statement released on Monday, the company clarified its regionally specific approach: “People using Maps in the United States will see ‘Gulf of America,’ and people in Mexico will see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Everyone else will see both names.” This dual naming approach aims to cater to different regional perspectives while acknowledging the US government’s official stance.
This renaming follows a similar situation involving Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Google also recently updated the name of this Alaskan landmark from Denali back to Mount McKinley, again citing a Trump-era decree. Former President Barack Obama had officially renamed the mountain Denali in 2015, honoring the indigenous name for the peak. Trump’s decree reversed this, criticizing Obama’s change as “an affront to the life of President McKinley, his achievements, and his sacrifice.” The decree further drew parallels to Trump’s own policies, highlighting McKinley’s support for tariffs and framing his assassination as “an attack on the values of our nation and our success.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued an advisory regarding these geographical name changes, stating they are in the process of updating their data and charts to reflect both the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley designations. Similarly, the US Coast Guard, responsible for maritime coastal patrols, has begun incorporating the “Gulf of America” name into its public notices. These actions across various US government agencies underscore the official adoption of the name change within the United States.
Despite the US government’s move and Google Maps’ implementation for US users, the name change is not universally accepted. In Mexico, Google Maps continues to display “Gulf of Mexico,” and initial observations suggest that users in Mexico may see both names depending on their zoom level on the map. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly dismissed the name change, asserting, “The Gulf of Mexico continues to be the Gulf of Mexico.” Sheinbaum even sent a letter to Google contesting the tech giant’s decision to comply with the Trump decree, highlighting the strong opposition in Mexico to this alteration.
Reports from other countries like Uruguay, Spain, and Argentina indicate that Google Maps displays both “Gulf of Mexico” and “Gulf of America,” aligning with Google’s stated policy of showing both names outside of the US and Mexico. In Colombia, similar to Mexico, both names may appear depending on the zoom level, suggesting a nuanced approach to regional name representation on Google Maps.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between political decisions, geographical naming conventions, and digital mapping services. While Google maintains it is reflecting official government sources, the controversy raises questions about the extent to which mapping platforms should adopt politically motivated name changes, particularly when those changes are not internationally recognized or accepted by neighboring countries. The ongoing debate underscores the powerful role maps play in shaping our understanding of the world and the names we use to define it.
