Google Maps has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in the U.S., following an executive order from Donald Trump. The move, part of Trump’s effort to “Make America Great Again,” has caused widespread confusion, especially as the name now varies depending on a user’s location.
Trump first announced the change during his inaugural address, stating that the Gulf was “an integral asset to our once burgeoning nation” and should reflect its importance to American trade and history. Despite objections from Mexico’s president, the change was finalized, and Google Maps has now implemented it accordingly.
Users in the U.S. now see Gulf of America on the map, while those in Mexico still see Gulf of Mexico. People in other countries see both names listed together. Some Americans have reported seeing the original name when zooming out, while Apple Maps has not made any changes.
Google defended the update, stating, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” They also pointed out that similar changes have happened before, such as the renaming of Mount McKinley to Denali.
The change has sparked debate, with critics calling it unnecessary and politically motivated, while supporters argue it reinforces national pride. Whether other platforms will follow suit remains to be seen, but for now, at least in the U.S., the Gulf of America is official.
