President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order mandating the official name change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on federal maps, a process that is expected to take several months to implement. Following this announcement, tech giant Google has communicated its readiness to update Google Maps to reflect this change as well as another controversial renaming decision regarding a prominent Alaskan peak.
On social media, Google stated it would alter its mapping services to use “Gulf of America” and revert to the name “Mount McKinley” for the mountain currently known as Denali, once these changes are reflected in official government sources, specifically the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Google emphasized its established practice of adopting name changes from official updates swiftly.
The Gulf of Mexico, named as such since at least the late 1600s, spans over 615,000 square miles, making it the ninth largest body of water in the world. It is bordered to the north by the U.S. southern coastline and stretches down to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This body of water plays a crucial role in the geography and economy of the surrounding regions.
The authority to rename geographic locations resides with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is tasked with standardizing names across federal entities. The Board has guidelines that discourage name changes unless justified by compelling reasons, underscoring the complexity surrounding name alterations.
Interestingly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was quick to adopt the new terminology in a recent emergency declaration, demonstrating state-level acceptance of the name change.
The evolution of geographic names often reflects cultural and political shifts, and this instance underscores the ongoing debate surrounding historical usage versus contemporary recognition. As changes are made, they offer opportunities for dialogue and engagement among communities about the significance of these names and their implications.
In summary, the anticipated name changes mark a notable moment in U.S. geographic history and offer a chance for conversations about identity and heritage in the modern context. The swift action from tech companies, such as Google, highlights how digital platforms are increasingly intertwined with governmental decisions.