28.01.2025 11:01
Google announced that it will change the name "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America" in its maps application, in accordance with the instructions of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had reiterated the statement, "We will soon change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America," during his inauguration speech on January 20.
Google Maps' X account made a statement regarding Trump's name changes for the Gulf of Mexico and Denali Mountain. The statement included the phrase, "We have a long-standing practice of implementing updated name changes in official government sources," announcing that the directive for the name changes would be followed, and that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed "Gulf of America," while Denali Mountain in Alaska would be renamed "McKinley."
It was noted in the statement that the changes would be implemented after an update to the Geographic Names System in the U.S., and that users in the U.S. would see the new names, while users of mapping applications in other countries would see both names.
DENALI MOUNTAIN'S NAME IS ALSO CHANGING
Denali Mountain in Alaska was renamed from "Mount McKinley," which was previously used in reference to former U.S. President William McKinley, to Denali, a name used by the indigenous people, by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2015. Trump announced that he would give the mountain, the highest peak in North America, the former name "McKinley."
"GULF OF AMERICA" DEBATE
Trump, who first brought up the change of the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on January 7, reiterated in his inauguration speech on January 20, "We will soon change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America."
On the same day, Trump signed an executive order at the White House directing that the name of the Gulf of Mexico be changed to its new name, "Gulf of America." The executive order stated, "President Trump is bringing common sense to the government and renewing the foundations of American civilization."
IMPORTANCE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
After the discovery of the Americas, Spanish explorers conducted mapping and exploration activities in the region. In the early 16th century, the region was named the Gulf of Mexico, and it has been referred to as such on international maps ever since. The Gulf of Mexico, which surrounds the southeastern U.S., the eastern coast of Mexico, and the island of Cuba, is the largest gulf in the world and holds significant environmental, economic, and geopolitical importance both regionally and globally.
The Gulf of Mexico is among the largest offshore oil and natural gas production areas in the world, while also hosting the commercial fishing industry. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Gulf accounts for 14% of U.S. crude oil production. At least 48% of the U.S.'s total oil refining capacity and 51% of the total natural gas processing plant capacity are located along the Gulf coast.
AN IMPORTANT TRANSIT POINT FOR GLOBAL TRADE
The Gulf, which forms an international shipping route with many commercial ports, serves as an important transit point for global trade between North America, Latin America, and Europe by connecting to the Panama Canal. The Gulf, threatened by various factors including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, is seen as a valuable resource for both the U.S. and Mexican economies.
The Gulf of Mexico is also rich in marine life, including fish, shrimp, marine mammals, and sea turtles, and is vital for marine life in the Atlantic ecosystem. Particularly valuable to the U.S. economy due to sectors such as oil, natural gas, fishing, and tourism, the Gulf also generates significant revenue for the U.S. from coastal tourism.