Google Maps renames Gulf of Mexico, following Trump's order

Google has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America but only for the users in the United States, on the lines of President Donald Trump's executive order signed on his first day in the Oval office. However, to users in Mexico, it would still appear as the Gulf of Mexico, Google Maps clarified in a blog post.

Google Maps shared three different maps of the same location, depicting how it would appear to people in America, people in Mexico and to people in the rest of the world.

"In the US, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has officially updated “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.” As we announced two weeks ago and consistent with our longstanding practices, we’ve begun rolling out changes to reflect this update," the blog read.

People using Maps in the U.S. will see “Gulf of America,” and people in Mexico will see “Gulf of Mexico.” Everyone else will see both names," it added.

Right after his inauguration on January 20, Trump had signed an executive order giving the Department of the Interior 30 days to take “all appropriate action” needed to facilitate the name change. Just after Trump signed the executive order, the US Coast Guard started using the term Gulf of America, marking the US government’s first official use of the term.

"As my administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great Nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America," Trump said in the proclamation.

A few days after that, the interior department of the Trump administration announced that the name change has officially been implemented.

“As directed by the president, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America’s highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley,” said the interior department.

Just a day later, Google announced –– with zero protest –– that the company will be renaming the gulf in Google Maps in the US.

"We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.," Google noted in a statement on X.

On February 10, Trump signed a proclamation recognising February 9 as "the first-ever Gulf of America Day" after a recent executive order by him to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump signed the proclamation on February 10 on his way to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, which sits on the gulf. "Today, I am making my first visit to the Gulf of America since its renaming," Trump said in the proclamation published on the White House website.

"Now, therefore, I, Donald J Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 9, 2025, as Gulf of America Day," he said.

He called upon public officials and all the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programmes, ceremonies, and activities.