Sure, Google Maps is renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America," however you gained't see it whenever you open the app simply but. In a sequence of tweets, the Information from Google account has revealed that the Maps app will roll out an replace with the identify change after the US authorities updates the Geographic Names Info System (GNIS), which serves because the "federal and nationwide normal for geographic nomenclature." Google Maps may even change the identify of the very best mountain peak in North America from Denali, the identify given to it by Alaskan Natives, to Mount McKinley when GNIS displays its new official designation.
When that occurs, we are going to replace Google Maps within the U.S. shortly to point out Mount McKinley and Gulf of America.
— Information from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025
Google stated it's a longstanding observe for the corporate to use identify adjustments in Maps solely after they've been up to date in official authorities sources. President Donald Trump signed an govt order final week to vary the physique of water's identify, and the Inside Division introduced on Friday that it's now formally often called the Gulf of America.
Nonetheless, solely customers within the US will see it labeled as such. It’s going to nonetheless be known as the Gulf of Mexico for customers in Mexico, whereas customers from exterior both nation will see each names of their Google Maps app. Google stated that one other official longstanding observe is to point out official native names after they fluctuate between nations, and as Reuters notes, it has utilized the rule to many different areas with naming and territorial disputes just like the Sea of Japan.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-maps-will-rename-gulf-of-mexico-to-gulf-of-america-but-only-for-us-users-043726929.html?src=rss