Google maps to update Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America

On Monday, Google announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it would update Google Maps to reflect two significant name changes following an executive order from President Donald Trump.

The Gulf of Mexico will now be labeled as the “Gulf of America,” and Denali, North America’s highest peak, will once again bear the name “Mount McKinley.”

“We’ve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps,” the tech giant posted. “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”

The Department of the Interior confirmed that its maps would also be updated in compliance with the executive order. “As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America, and North America’s highest peak will revert to Mount McKinley. These changes reaffirm the Nation’s commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets,” the department stated.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which operates under the Department of the Interior, is expediting updates to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the changes. Once finalized, federal documents and platforms, including Google Maps, will reflect the new names.

President Trump referenced these renaming efforts during his inauguration speech and later signed the executive order titled “Restoring the Names that Honor American Greatness” on his first day in office.

The executive order asserts that renaming these landmarks aligns with the nation’s values and honors historical American figures. It states:

“It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nation’s rich past.”

Section 4 of the executive order specifically addresses the Gulf of Mexico’s renaming, citing its historical and economic significance to the United States.

“The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once-burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America,” the order reads. It goes on to highlight the Gulf’s importance as a hub for trade, oil production, fishing, and tourism:

  • Energy production: The Gulf contributes 14% of the U.S.’s crude oil and is home to innovative oil and gas exploration technologies.
  • Fisheries: It supports one of the most productive fisheries in the world, generating significant revenue for local economies.
  • Tourism and recreation: The Gulf’s coastlines are a beloved destination for American travelers.
  • Maritime industry: The region boasts some of the largest and most critical ports for U.S. trade.

In recognition of these contributions, the order concludes, “The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy. In acknowledgment of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”

The order also reinstates the name “Mount McKinley” for the peak formerly known as Denali. Named after President William McKinley, the mountain’s name had been changed to Denali during the Obama administration in 2015 to reflect its Alaskan heritage. The Trump administration has emphasized a return to honoring historical American leaders.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a vocal critic of Trump, accused the renaming efforts of reflecting “colonial-era exploitation” in a social media post, while domestic reactions have been divided. Supporters praise the move as a restoration of national pride, while critics argue it undermines historical and cultural contexts associated with the original names.

As these changes take effect, Trump’s administration has framed them as a symbolic step toward reinforcing American values and identity. Updates to federal maps and platforms are expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.

By Max Walker

Max Walker is an independent journalist covering politics, corruption, crime, and the economy.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x