Rebranding the Gulf: Google Maps Labels the Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America
In a notable update, Google Maps has rebranded the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users within the United States. According to a recent blog announcement from Google, this name alteration aligns with updates provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which establishes federal and national standards for geographic terminology. The change is partly in response to an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration, directing such a renaming. However, Google clarified that their policy requires reliance on official government resources before implementing any modifications.
A Regional Perspective on Naming Conventions
This new designation will only appear when accessing Google Maps while physically located in the U.S., or via web access with location settings configured to that region. Users situated in Mexico will still observe “Gulf of Mexico,” while international users outside these regions will find both names listed—specifically formatted as ”Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).” As part of its practice, Google consistently displays officially recognized local names considering variances between countries.
The Apple Maps Response
Meanwhile, Apple has similarly adjusted its mapping service and website for American users to reflect this nomenclature change. Although Apple’s map visuals currently still denote “Gulf of Mexico,” selecting this area reveals a card referencing “Gulf of America.” Notably, searching for “Gulf of Mexico” also directs users to this new information card.
Impact and Regulations Surrounding Name Changes
A report from the Congressional Research Service elaborates that private mapping services such as those operated by Google and Apple are not obligated by Trump’s executive order regarding geographical name changes. This report indicates that rulings made by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names—which executed this renaming process—are confined exclusively to federal contexts.
Update: As per an update published on February 11th at 5:35 PM ET, further clarification was made concerning Apple’s implementation reflecting the name adjustment for users navigating through their mapping application. Enhanced context about geographical naming regulations from Congressional Research Service insights was incorporated into existing narratives.
