A Shocking Discovery for Tourists
Foreign visitors arriving in the United States might find themselves puzzled when searching for the Gulf of Mexico on a map—because it’s simply not there anymore! As of February 10, 2025, the familiar name has been erased from American maps, replaced by something entirely new: the Gulf of America.
A Presidential Stroke of the Pen
This renaming isn’t just a quirky update from Google. It follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 9, officially rebranding the Gulf and declaring the date as “Gulf of America Day.” President Trump signed the proclamation while flying over the Gulf on Air Force One from Palm Beach, Florida, to New Orleans to attend Super Bowl LIX.
Explaining his reasons for the renaming, Trump stated:
“The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning nation and has remained an indelible part of America.”
He added:
“Today, I am making my first visit to the Gulf of America since its renaming. As my administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America.”
While the proclamation doesn’t change international law, it does mean that for American users, GPS, maps, and school textbooks will now reflect the new designation.
Google Updates the Map
Shortly after Trump’s executive order, Google followed suit, updating its Maps platform. In an official statement, the company clarified:
“In the U.S., the Geographic Names Information System has officially updated ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to ‘Gulf of America.’ People using Maps in the U.S. will see ‘Gulf of America,’ while those in Mexico will continue to see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Users in other parts of the world will see both names.”
Mexico Responds with “Mexican America”
Unsurprisingly, the move has sparked strong reactions from Mexico. Back in January, when Trump first floated the idea of renaming the Gulf, President Claudia Sheinbaum, standing before a 17th-century world map, humorously suggested that in response, Mexico might start referring to North America as “Mexican America,” because a founding document dating from 1814 that preceded Mexico’s constitution referred to it that way.
“That sounds nice, no?” she added with a sarcastic tone.
She also noted that the Gulf of Mexico had been named that way since 1607. On a more serious note, Sheinbaum emphasized that the name change holds no legal weight beyond U.S. territorial waters.
The Debate: Patriotic Move or Pointless Rebranding?
The renaming of the Gulf has sparked intense debate. Supporters argue that it reinforces national pride and strengthens America’s historical ties to the region, while critics see it as a symbolic gesture with no real impact beyond political rhetoric.
Will this affect tourism or international relations? Experts are divided. Advocates claim that the renaming asserts U.S. sovereignty and promotes an ‘America First’ vision. They argue that such symbolic actions can shape cultural identity and strengthen economic interests in the region. On the other hand, opponents contend that the change has no legal significance, could create unnecessary confusion, and risks straining diplomatic relations with Mexico.
More Changes to Come?
The Gulf’s renaming might just be the beginning. Trump has previously voiced interest in “expanding” America’s reach, including a revived push to purchase Greenland and restoring the name of North America’s tallest peak from Denali back to Mount McKinley.
And he might not stop there—Trump has also floated the idea of incorporating Canada as the 51st state, a move that has raised eyebrows both north and south of the border. While it remains purely speculative, the president has previously suggested that Canada is basically part of America anyway.
For geographers, cartographers, and textbook publishers, these decisions spell a lot of extra work in the coming months. If Trump has his way, maps could soon look quite different—at least in the United States.
