New update on Google Maps: Gulf of Mexico will be renamed as a Gulf of Améric

In an ad that has generated controversy, Google Maps will begin to show the name Gulf of America instead of the Gulf of Mexico within the United States.

This decision responds to an executive order signed by President Donald Trumpwhich instructed the use of this term on official maps and federal documents.

In addition, Mount Denali, located in Alaska, It will also be renamed Monte McKinley On the map platform.

Google explains its official name policy

In a statement issued by the company, Google He explained that these changes obey their policy of reflecting the official names established in government sources. “We have received questions about the names on Google Maps. We apply changes when updated in official government sources, ”said the company.

The decision to adopt Gulf of America in the US has been particularly controversial, since the Gulf of Mexico is an internationally recognized name and has a deep cultural, historical and geographical meaning. Google clarified that the new name will be visible only for users in the US, while in Mexico and other regions the term Gulf of Mexico will remain. In some areas, users can see both names.

The company also emphasized that this practice is not new. When official names vary between countries, Google Maps shows the corresponding local denominations. In the rest of the world, the platform presents the 2 versions of the name. “This is a long -standing practice,” said Google, stressing that change does not reflect a political position, but the fulfillment of the updates made by governments.

Google clarified that the changes will not be immediate. The company will proceed with the modifications on its platform once the US authorities complete the update of its official databases. This process guarantees that the names reflect the official designations in each country, respecting local norms and denominations.

The return of Mount McKinley

Another significant update announced by Google is the change of the name of Mount Denali, the highest mountain in North America, which will recover its old name of Monte McKinley. This adjustment also responds to the executive order signed by Trump, who instructed federal agencies to use the name McKinley in honor of former president William McKinley.

Mount Denali, officially recognized with this name in 2015 during the administration of Barack Obama, had been called Monte McKinley for more than a century. However, the change was celebrated by indigenous and local communities of Alaska, who considered that “Denali” (which means “the high” in the Koyukon language) better reflected the history and culture of the region. The decision to reverse the name to McKinley has generated divided opinions.

Reactions to changes in Google Maps

The ads have caused a wide range of reactions. While some sectors consider that modifications reflect sovereign decisions, others see them as unnecessary or even as an attempt to impose political narratives. Geography and diplomacy experts have indicated that these types of measures could have implications in bilateral relations and US international perception.

In Mexico, the change of the name of the Gulf of Mexico has been particularly poorly received by sectors that consider that it is a cultural and geographical appropriation. In social networks, the term Gulf of America has generated a wave of criticism and debates.

On the other hand, in Alaska, the return of the name Monte McKinley has generated tensions with local communities that consider this measure a decline in the recognition of indigenous culture.

Although Google has insisted that these adjustments do not represent a political position, the connection between government policy and corporate decisions is evident. Analysts point out that, following government provisions, technology companies also face the challenge of maintaining a neutral and objective image before a diverse global audience.

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