Google Maps to Adjust Names: Gulf of America and Mount McKinley

Google Maps to Update: Gulf of Mexico and Denali Renamed

In a recent announcement, Google has stated its intention to update Google Maps to reflect the changes mandated by President Trump’s executive order issued on January 20th. This order requires the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Denali to Mount McKinley.

Updated Nomenclature

The new names are set to be visible to users once the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database is updated. Google stated on its platform X that it adheres to a long-standing practice of applying name changes as they are reflected in official government sources.

Local Name Variants

Google Maps users across different countries will see the official local names where discrepancies exist. Thus, users worldwide will be able to view both the old and new names for these geographical features.

Background on Denali

Previously known as Mount McKinley, the name Denali was officially recognized in 2015 after being widely used for many years among locals in Alaska.

Government Support for the Changes

The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed its commitment to implementing these name changes post-executive order, through the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. They are prioritizing the updates in the GNIS for federal usage as soon as possible.

Timing and Impact on Apple Maps

As of now, it's unclear how Apple Maps plans to handle these updates, as no comments have been released by an Apple spokesperson regarding their strategy.

Final Thoughts

This renaming initiative highlights the ongoing evolution of geographic names and their significance in representing national identity. Stay tuned for more updates as the changes take effect across various mapping platforms.

For up-to-date and accurate information, always refer to official sources.