Google Plans to Use Trump’s New Names for Denali and Gulf of Mexico/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Google has announced it will follow U.S. government updates to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and Denali as “Mount McKinley,” in accordance with President Donald Trump’s executive order. Google Maps will reflect changes once the U.S. Geographic Names Information System updates its database.
Google Maps Name Changes: Quick Looks
- Trump’s Order: The Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the “Gulf of America,” and Denali will revert to “Mount McKinley.”
- Google’s Policy: Google Maps will adopt the new names after official government updates.
- Historical Context: “Denali” honors Alaska Native traditions, while “McKinley” was named after President William McKinley.
- AP’s Approach: The Associated Press will refer to the Gulf as “Gulf of Mexico” but use “Mount McKinley.”
- Implementation: Changes depend on updates to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System.
Google Plans to Use Trump’s New Names for Denali and Gulf of Mexico
Deep Look
Google has announced that its Maps platform will update the names of the Gulf of Mexico and Denali if and when the U.S. government’s Geographic Names Information System reflects changes ordered by President Donald Trump.
Trump’s Executive Order
Upon returning to office, President Trump directed the renaming of two prominent U.S. geographic features:
- The Gulf of Mexico, to be renamed the “Gulf of America.”
- Denali, America’s tallest peak, to revert to its previous name, “Mount McKinley.”
The Gulf of America renaming emphasizes U.S. identity over the international designation for the water body bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Meanwhile, renaming Denali restores the tribute to President William McKinley, which was designated by a gold prospector in the late 19th century. Denali had been renamed by President Barack Obama in 2015 to honor Alaska Native traditions.
Google’s Role in Name Updates
Google stated that its Maps platform adheres to official government sources for name changes, particularly the Geographic Names Information System.
“When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America,” Google announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This policy ensures that map users in the U.S. receive government-approved updates while maintaining consistency with official records.
Historical and Cultural Significance
- Gulf of Mexico: The name has been in use for more than 400 years, reflecting historical and geographic conventions.
- Denali: The mountain’s name, meaning “The High One,” has deep cultural significance for Alaska Natives. Restoring “McKinley” prioritizes historical recognition of the 25th U.S. president over local traditions.
Associated Press Approach
The Associated Press confirmed it will continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name due to its long-standing global usage but will adopt “Mount McKinley” for U.S. reporting, as the mountain lies entirely within American borders.
What’s Next?
The name changes will go into effect only after updates are made to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, a database covering more than 1 million geographic features. Google’s adherence to this official process ensures the changes reflect U.S. government policy.
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