Google Maps and the Gulf of Mexico: Navigating Recent Name Changes and Their Implications
Introduction In a significant move, Google Maps has updated its platform to reflect the renaming of the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" for users in the United States. This change follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, sparking discussions about digital cartography, geopolitical naming conventions, and the role of technology companies in implementing governmental directives. Background: The Executive Order On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order mandating the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This directive was part of a broader initiative to reassert American nomenclature in geographical features associated with the nation. The order instructed federal agencies to update official maps, databases, and documents to reflect this change within 30 days. AP News Google Maps' Implementation In response to the executive order, Google announced that it would update Google Maps to display ...