Google adopts Gulf of America for US Maps users

Google Maps now officially shows the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America if you open the app in the US. In a blog post, Google said it rolled out the named change because the government has already updated the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which decides the "federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature." One of the executive orders President Donald Trump signed in January when he took office renames the body of water, but Google previously explained that it's the company's longstanding policy to wait for official government resources to be updated before applying any name change.

The Gulf of America label will only be visible if you use the Maps app in the US, or if you open Maps on the web and your device's location is set to the region. If you're in Mexico, the label still shows Gulf of Mexico. And if you're elsewhere, you'll see it marked as both, specifically: Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America). It's also longstanding policy for the company to show official local names when they vary between countries. Trump's executive order also renames Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley. So far, the location is still being shown as Denali on Maps. 

Google Maps
Google

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-adopts-gulf-of-america-for-us-maps-users-140026397.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-adopts-gulf-of-america-for-us-maps-users-140026397.html?src=rss
Created 6mo | Feb 11, 2025, 3:10:28 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

The best Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 didn’t come out of the gate with a host of exclusive, must-play games. But we’re a few months into the console’s lifecycle now and there are a variety of Switch 2-only games t

Aug 11, 2025, 8:50:04 AM | Engadget
AOL's dial-up internet still exists, but not for much longer

It may have been decades since you last heard the ">crunc

Aug 10, 2025, 9:20:08 PM | Engadget
Rod Fergusson leaves Blizzard after five years leading Diablo

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo franchise for the last five years, is leaving Blizzard. Fergusson announced the move on social media, but didn't say where he's going next. Before

Aug 10, 2025, 6:50:18 PM | Engadget
An updated Siri that interacts with apps reportedly won't be here until next spring

A Siri that does way more than just setting a timer or writing down a reminder may still be nearly a year away. According to

Aug 10, 2025, 6:50:17 PM | Engadget
Ubisoft may have prematurely revealed FX's TV adaptation of Far Cry

A post on Ubisoft's news page reportedly announced that FX is working on a TV show adaptation of the

Aug 10, 2025, 4:40:04 PM | Engadget
The Space Invaders movie is apparently still happening

It's been a few years since we last heard anything about

Aug 9, 2025, 10:10:12 PM | Engadget
DJI repurposed its drones' obstacle detection tech for robot vacuums

DJI's obstacle avoidance system could be just as useful on land as it is in the air. DJI, known for its dominance in the

Aug 9, 2025, 7:40:14 PM | Engadget