Google has confirmed that U.S. users of Google Maps will soon see the label “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” Meanwhile, Mexican users will continue to see “Gulf of Mexico,” effectively bringing an end to the controversy.
The change came after an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which mandated the renaming of the Gulf within U.S. jurisdiction. Google Maps stated that this update aligns with its longstanding policy of adopting official government names for geographic features when disputes arise.
According to Google, the adjustment will take effect once the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updates its database to reflect the new name. Similarly, the database will revert the name of Alaska’s highest peak from Denali to Mount McKinley, in accordance with the executive order.
This policy means that U.S. users of Google Maps will see “Gulf of America,” while Mexican users will continue to see “Gulf of Mexico.” Users outside these countries will see both names displayed on the map.
Google Maps’ approach to geographic conflicts
Google Maps has faced criticism for handling geographic disputes in the past. The platform customizes map labels based on the user’s location. For example, in India, the disputed region of Kashmir is shown entirely within Indian borders. Outside India, the region is marked as contested, with labels indicating areas controlled by Pakistan and China. Similarly, the body of water between Japan and Korea appears as the “Sea of Japan” for Japanese users, “East Sea” for Korean users, and “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” for users elsewhere.
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico is part of a broader series of changes outlined in Trump’s executive order. The order cites the Gulf’s economic significance to the U.S. as the reason for the change, calling it a “critical resource for the nation’s economy.” Federal agencies will have 30 days to adopt the new names across all official documents once the GNIS updates its database.
Mexican response: “It’s Still the Gulf of Mexico”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the renaming as largely symbolic, emphasizing that it applies only within U.S. territory. During a press conference, she held up a copy of Trump’s executive order and stated, “The Gulf of Mexico remains the Gulf of Mexico.”
Sheinbaum added that the historic name, which has appeared on maps since the 17th century, will remain unchanged outside U.S. borders. She also downplayed Google’s decision, noting that it is limited to reflecting official names as dictated by government authorities.
The president reiterated that for the rest of the world, the body of water will continue to be recognized as the Gulf of Mexico.
