Google Maps will rename Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, however just for US customers

Sure, Google Maps is renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America," however you received'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 title change after the US authorities updates the Geographic Names Info System (GNIS), which serves because the "federal and nationwide commonplace for geographic nomenclature." Google Maps may even change the title of the best mountain peak in North America from Denali, the title given to it by Alaskan Natives, to Mount McKinley when GNIS displays its new official designation.

When that occurs, we’ll replace Google Maps within the U.S. rapidly to indicate Mount McKinley and Gulf of America.

— Information from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025

Google stated it's a longstanding apply for the corporate to use title adjustments in Maps solely after they've been up to date in official authorities assets. President Donald Trump signed an government order final week to vary the physique of water's title, 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’ll nonetheless be referred to as the Gulf of Mexico for customers in Mexico, whereas customers from outdoors both nation will see each names of their Google Maps app. Google stated that one other official longstanding apply is to indicate official native names after they range between international locations, 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