Apple has updated its maps to reflect the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, following an official directive from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System mandated by President Donald Trump.
This change comes on the heels of Google’s announcement last month to alter its maps once the official name change was recognized. Google’s update strategy involves displaying “Gulf of America” for users in the U.S., “Gulf of Mexico” for those in Mexico, and both names for users elsewhere. Apple’s approach, however, appears to be uniform across all users, adopting “Gulf of America” universally.
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The decision to rename the body of water, which is bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba, was ordered by President Trump shortly after taking office. The U.S. Geographic Names Information System made the change official late Sunday, leading to similar updates on Microsoft’s Bing maps.
While tech giants adapt to this new naming convention, The Associated Press has announced it will continue to use the traditional name, “Gulf of Mexico,” which has been in use for 400 years, while also acknowledging the new designation, “Gulf of America,” in its reporting.
This move has sparked discussions on digital cartography, national identity, and international relations, with implications for how geographical features are represented in digital platforms globally.
Key Points:
New Name: The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed to “Gulf of America” by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System.
Presidential Order: The change was ordered by President Donald Trump.
Mapping Updates:
Apple: Updated to show “Gulf of America.”
Google: Shows “Gulf of America” to U.S. users, “Gulf of Mexico” to Mexican users, and both names to others.
Microsoft: Bing Maps now reflects the new name.
Cultural and Historical Impact: The original name, “Gulf of Mexico,” has been in use for 400 years, carrying significant historical and cultural weight.
Media and Public Discourse: There has been notable discussion on the implications of this change, ranging from political symbolism to international relations.
Dual Naming: The Associated Press and possibly other entities will continue to use “Gulf of Mexico” while acknowledging “Gulf of America.”
Geographical Context: This body of water is bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.
Potential Diplomatic Effects: The renaming could influence U.S.-Mexico relations, given Mexico’s cultural and national ties to the traditional name.
