Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America for users in the US.
People in the US will see ‘Gulf of America’ on Maps. Meanwhile, those in Mexico will see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Everyone else will see both names,”
Explaining the move, Google said it follows name changes from official government sources. This is a long-standing practice.
The Gulf, bordered by the US, Cuba, and Mexico, will keep its name in Mexico. Everywhere else, it will be labeled as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”.
Google said last month it would also change the name of Mount McKinley, the nation’s highest peak, from Denali following Trump’s order. Former President Barack Obama renamed the Alaska landmark to Denali in 2015. This was a nod to the region’s native population.
This change comes after President Donald Trump ordered the name change in US documents. He made this decision after returning to office last month.
Mexico opposed the name change, saying the US had no right to do so.
Google made the change on Monday. This was after the Geographic Names Information System, a US database, updated the Gulf’s name.
“The Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico, with an average depth 5300 ft is a major body of water bordered and nearly landlocked by North America with the Gulf’s eastern, northern, and northwestern shores in the U.S. and its southwestern and southern shores in Mexico.”
The change was made in line with Trump’s executive order to honor American Greatness.
After signing the order, President Trump proclaimed 9 February as “Gulf of America Day”.
“I call upon public officials and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities,” a White House statement said.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum asked Google to reconsider the name change.
Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America.
She argued the US could not legally change the Gulf’s name. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea limits a country’s territory to 12 nautical miles from the coastline.
The Associated Press, a global media organisation, will not change the Gulf’s name in its style guide. This guide is used by most US media outlets.
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