Imagine opening Google Maps and finding a familiar landmark suddenly renamed.
That’s precisely what happened when the Gulf of Mexico, known for centuries by that name, began appearing as the “Gulf of America” for U.S.-based users.
The shift, stemming from a presidential executive order, has stirred up a hornet’s nest of debate, from everyday users to international politics.
Is this a simple map update, or something more?
The Executive Order and Public Reaction
Last month, President Trump, during his inaugural address, pledged to rename two significant landmarks.
Specifically, he aimed to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and restore the name “William McKinley” to Mount Denali.
As he put it, America should “reclaim its rightful place” and inspire “awe and admiration.”
On February 9th, Trump even declared “Gulf of America Day,” showcasing a map with the new name in bold letters.
Talk about making a splash.
But how did the public react?
Spoiler alert: not favorably.
Poll after poll revealed widespread opposition.
A survey found that 71% of respondents opposed the renaming, with only 29% in favor.
Another YouGov poll mirrored these sentiments, showing a mere 28% support rate.
A January poll indicated that 72% of registered voters were against the “Gulf of America” moniker.
Ouch.
It seems like this initiative didn’t quite resonate with the majority.
Google Maps Adopts the Change
Despite public disapproval, some corners of the private sector have moved forward.
Google was among the first, officially introducing the “Gulf of America” in the U.S.-facing version of Google Maps.
Users in Mexico?
They’d still see “Gulf of Mexico.” And other nations?
Both names would appear.
Apple Maps and Bing soon followed suit, aligning themselves with the change.
Why the quick adoption?
These companies cited the U.S.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) making the change official.
Following the government’s position on names is standard practice, they argued.
Pushback and Content Moderation
But here’s where things get interesting.
Not everyone was thrilled with the new name.
Users began flooding Google Maps with negative reviews and mislabeling reports.
And guess what?
Google responded by curtailing content contributions.
A Google spokesperson stated that they regularly “put protections on places during times when we anticipate an uptick of contributions that are off-topic or unrelated to someone’s direct experience with the place.”
Essentially, Google clamped down to maintain accuracy.
Was it censorship?
Or standard procedure?
“We’re invested in making sure information is accurate and unhelpful content is removed,” the company stated.
This protective measure likely stemmed from the surge of users politically dissenting against the renaming.
The YouTube Perspective
Here is a video with another perspective:
Content Moderation: Standard or Censorship?
In Google’s defense, the company appears to be enforcing its existing content moderation rules.
Google sources data from authoritative bodies when naming places.
The renaming stemmed from a change in the GNIS database, which itself was updated following the executive order.
Once GNIS set the new standard, mentions of “Gulf of Mexico” technically became “fake content” under Google’s policies.
Christina Wichiencharoen, a Google Maps product manager, explained that when suspicious activity is detected, Google acts quickly.
This can range from removing policy-violating content to temporarily disabling new contributions.
Some safeguards are temporary; others are longer-term, depending on the severity.
Where does the “Gulf of America” fall on this spectrum?
Only time will tell.
Other videos also give insight on what the people from Mexico have to say about the name change.
The AP’s Resistance and the First Amendment
Not everyone is rolling over.
The Associated Press (AP), the standard-bearer for journalistic style, announced it would continue using “Gulf of Mexico” while referencing Trump’s executive order.
In response, the AP alleged that one of its reporters was barred from a White House event.
Uh oh.
Julie Pace, AP executive editor, decried the move as a violation of the First Amendment.
“Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment,” she stated.
Denali’s Defense
Meanwhile, in Alaska, Trump’s push to restore “Mount McKinley” has faced intense pushback.
The Alaska legislature passed a resolution urging Trump to keep “Denali,” the historic name used until the late 1800s.
Seems like Alaska is standing its ground.
Museums in the Crosshairs
The only museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Gulf of Mexico, located in Mobile, Alabama, may be in a pickle.
Karen Poth, who runs the museum, had just renamed it to reflect its unique status.
Then came Trump’s announcement.
“My personality is to laugh,” Poth said, “Or else you cry.”
The name change has created an international firestorm.
Should the museum have to change every reference to the Gulf of America, it would mean a complete redo of the entire museum.
Poth estimated that changing the museum’s name in 2024 cost nearly $100,000.
The museum, however, acknowledges that the Gulf has had many names throughout history.
The name “Gulf of Mexico” first appeared on Spanish maps in the mid-1500s.
Early explorers called it the “Chinese Sea,” the “Gulf of Cortés,” or the “Gulf of New Spain.”
Jack E Davis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, says he’s not happy with the US’s official new name for the Gulf.
“Its not just us,” he said.
takes my mind beyond what we call America, beyond the US to other people to other places.
Final Thoughts
The “Gulf of America” saga highlights the intersection of politics, cartography, and public opinion.
Whether it’s a lasting change or a temporary blip, the controversy underscores how even something as seemingly simple as a name on a map can ignite passionate debate.
What do *you* think?
Will “Gulf of America” stick, or will “Gulf of Mexico” ultimately prevail in the hearts and minds of the people?
Only time, and perhaps future administrations, will tell.
Navigating the “Gulf of America” Debate: Key Questions Answered
Why did Google Maps change the name to “Gulf of America”?
Google Maps adopted the name change because the U.S.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) officially updated its database following a presidential executive order.
Google typically follows the GNIS for place names in the U.S.
Was the name change universally applied on Google Maps?
No.
Only U.S.-based users saw the name change to “Gulf of America.” Users in Mexico continued to see “Gulf of Mexico,” and some other nations saw both names displayed.
How did the public react to the “Gulf of America” renaming?
The public reaction was largely negative.
Polls indicated that a significant majority of respondents opposed the renaming, with support for the “Gulf of America” moniker being relatively low.
Did other map providers follow Google’s lead?
Yes, Apple Maps and Bing also aligned themselves with the change, citing the updated U.S.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) as the reason.
What was Google’s response to negative reviews and mislabeling reports on Google Maps?
Google responded by curtailing content contributions and implementing protections to maintain accuracy, citing the need to remove content that is off-topic or unrelated to direct experience with the place.
What is the Associated Press (AP)’s stance on the renaming?
The Associated Press (AP) has announced that it will continue using “Gulf of Mexico” while referencing Trump’s executive order.
They also alleged that one of its reporters was barred from a White House event in response.
What is the perspective of the Gulf of Mexico museum in Mobile Alabama?
The Gulf of Mexico museum located in Mobile Alabama is in a dilemma because the change could mean having to change every reference to the Gulf of America, and create a complete redo of the entire museum.
The Shifting Sands of Nomenclature: Reflecting on the “Gulf of America” Controversy
The “Gulf of America” saga illuminates the complex interplay between political agendas, cartographic practices, and public sentiment.
While the future of the name remains uncertain, the debate highlights the power of names and the potential for controversy when altering established geographical labels.
Engage Further: Exploring the “Gulf of America” Debate
- Stay Informed: Follow news outlets and academic discussions regarding the ongoing debate over geographical names and political influence.
- Share Your Opinion: Participate in public forums and discussions to express your views on the renaming issue and its implications.
- Explore Historical Context: Research the history of geographical names and their cultural significance to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at stake.
