Google Complies With Trump’s Order, Changes ‘Gulf Of Mexico’ To ‘Gulf Of America’

Google has officially changed the name of 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' in its Maps application, following an executive order from US President Donald Trump, the tech company announced on X (formerly Twitter).

Following the update, Google Maps users in the U.S. will now see 'Gulf of America,' while those in Mexico will continue to see 'Gulf of Mexico.' Meanwhile, the other users around the world would see both names.

"When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too," Google explained.

Trump's Executive Order And Federal Implementation

This change comes after Trump signed Executive Order 14172 on January 20, titled 'Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness'. The order mandates renaming the body of water, a move that was formally implemented by the federal board on Geographic Names Information System, under the United States Geological Survey.

Google emphasized that the change aligns with its long-standing practice of adhering to official changes updated in the government sources.

Additionally, Trump's executive order includes changing the name of Mount Denali in Alaska back to Mount McKinley. Google assured users that both the changes would be implemented as soon as the government databases update their naming systems.

Apple Maps Yet To Implement Changes

Apple Maps has yet not updated the Gulf's name. However, when users search for 'Gulf of America' on Apple Maps, they are currently redirected to 'Gulf of Mexico'. It remains unclear when or if Apple would adopt the change.

February 9 To Be Celebrated As 'Gulf of America Day'

US President Donald Trump has also issued a proclamation declaring February 9 as 'Gulf of America Day', following an executive order by him to rename 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America'.

The 'Gulf of America' includes the US Continental Shelf region, bordered by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and extending to Mexico and Cuba's maritime boundaries.

Trump stated that the region has played a crucial role in the history of American trade and development, and maritime, and the renaming is meant to acknowledge its contributions to the United States.

Mexico Asks Google Maps Not To Rename 'Gulf of Mexico'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally requested to Google not to rename the 'Gulf of Mexico', arguing that the United States does not have the legal authority to unilaterally change the Gulf's internationally recognized name.

The President cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which states that an individual country's sovereign territory extends only up to 12 nautical miles out from the coastline.

Further, Shienbaum criticized Google for renaming "an international sea" to "the mandate of a country", and jokingly added that Mexico might make a similar request to the tech firm to rename North America as "América Mexicana" in Mexican territories.