Why is Google Maps changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico?

Google Maps is changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" for U.S. users, following a directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. This renaming is part of a broader shift in U.S. national identity and reflects the government's political stance on geographic nomenclature. The decision is significant because it also aligns with the U.S. government's official approach to updating place names through the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

For users outside the U.S. and Mexico, both names—"Gulf of America" and "Gulf of Mexico"—will be displayed, ensuring that regional and national perspectives are respected. This update reflects Google's practice of adopting official governmental changes, while also ensuring that local and international viewpoints are considered on its global platform.

The change is part of a broader trend in digital mapping services, which increasingly play a role in shaping how political, cultural, and geographical identities are represented. More details can be found at https://antsushi.blogspot.com/2025/01/google-maps-to-rename-gulf-of-mexico-as.html

Google Maps to Rename Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America in 2025