Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users. AFP
Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users. AFP
Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users. AFP
Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users. AFP

Google Maps changes 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' for US users


Sara Ruthven
  • English
  • Arabic

Google has changed “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America” on its Maps app for US users, after US President Donald Trump announced the official name change at the federal level.

“As we announced two weeks ago and consistent with our long-standing practices, we’ve begun rolling out changes to reflect this update. People using Maps in the US will see 'Gulf of America' and people in Mexico will see 'Gulf of Mexico',” Google said on its blog. “Everyone else will see both names.”

An updated Google map shows the Gulf of America. Getty Images / AFP
An updated Google map shows the Gulf of America. Getty Images / AFP

The company stated its intention to make the change in late January, saying it was policy to adjust names when they have been updated in official government sources.

It added that the names users see are based on country location, which is determined by information from phone operating system, including SIM card, network and locale. For web users, the names are based on the region you select in Search settings or the device’s location.

During Mr Trump's inaugural speech on January 20, he stated his intention to make the change, saying: “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world.”

Google Maps users outside Mexico and the US will see both names. Photo: Screengrab from Google Maps
Google Maps users outside Mexico and the US will see both names. Photo: Screengrab from Google Maps

He later signed an executive order focused on “restoring names that honour American greatness”, which included the renaming of Alaska's Denali – a name the native Koyukon people have used to refer to the peak for centuries – to Mt McKinley.

“It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes,” the order stated.

After Mr Trump first floated the idea ahead of his inauguration, in early January, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented a map from 1607 at her morning news conference and proposed her own name change.

“Why don’t we call it Mexican America?” Ms Sheinbaum said, indicating the map's name for the modern US. “It would sound nice, right?”

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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