Google Maps to rename ‘Gulf of Mexico’ for US users

Google Maps will rename the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” but only for users in the United States.

This change aligns with the US Interior Department’s recent decision to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico. The department stated, “As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America.”

Additionally, US President Donald Trump ordered the renaming of Alaska’s Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, back to its previous name, Mount McKinley.

Google, owned by Alphabet, will update Google Maps to reflect this change once it is recorded in the US Geographic Names System. However, the name “Gulf of Mexico” will still be used in Mexico. For users outside the US and Mexico, both names will appear on Google Maps.

This renaming is part of Google’s locale-based labelling system, which adapts to different naming conventions globally. For example, the body of water between Japan and South Korea is shown as the “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” to accommodate regional preferences.

The change showcases Google’s commitment to reflecting regional naming conventions while maintaining clarity for a global audience.

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