The Gulf of Mexico is no more — at least, in the eyes of the United States government. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The change is already sparking heated discussions across social media, government offices, and mapping platforms worldwide.
While the US Department of the Interior has begun updating federal records to reflect the Gulf of America, questions remain about how private entities like Apple Maps, media outlets, and educational institutions will handle the new name. Google has confirmed that its maps will adopt the Gulf of America within the United States, but will global platforms follow suit?
The timing of this change raises eyebrows, given its political and nationalistic undertones. Supporters argue that it’s a well-deserved recognition of American territory and pride, while critics suggest it’s a misguided attempt to erase history. The Gulf of Mexico has been a geographical and cultural symbol for centuries, and many are uneasy about replacing it with a more generic, nationalistic term.
One thing is clear: The name change won’t be as simple as changing a few lines on a map. The global community will have to decide whether to embrace the Gulf of America as the new standard or continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico as it has for centuries.
In the meantime, federal agencies, tech companies, and news organizations will be forced to reckon with the potential fallout of this historic — and controversial — geographic shift.
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