Following an official renaming by the administration under Donald Trump, who recently became the first US president to visit the Super Bowl, Google has updated its maps for US users, now labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Background of the Renaming
The Gulf, vital to early American trade, has been rebranded to reflect its integral role in US history. The renaming initiative was declared through an executive order during President Trump’s term, which also saw controversial interactions with other geographical names and international policies. The decision has also sparked controversy in the US and abroad.
International and Domestic Reactions
Mexico strongly opposed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by the US Recently elected President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the name change applies only to the US continental shelf and that “for us, it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico.” Mexico argued that the US has no legal right to rename the Gulf beyond its 12-nautical-mile territorial waters under international law.
The Renaming Campaign
Alongside the Gulf’s renaming, the order reinstated the name Mount McKinley for North America’s highest peak, originally named after President William McKinley. The name was changed to Denali in 2015 under Obama’s administration to honor its original name given by Native Alaskans. This change to reassign the name of North America’s highest peak back to Mount McKinley aligns with the administration’s efforts to revisit and affirm the historical narratives associated with US historical figures.
Broader Presidential Initiatives
President Trump’s tenure has seen other bold geographical and international proposals, including bids to purchase Greenland, proposals to incorporate Canada as the 51st state, and discussions about control over the Panama Canal. These actions highlight a presidency marked by ambitious, often contentious initiatives aimed at reshaping America’s role and image on the global stage.
Reflecting on a Presidency of Ambitious Changes
The decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico reflects a series of changes during President Trump’s administration, which includes adjustments to geographical nomenclature and international policies. These changes aim to update and align certain US historical references and international relations approaches as seen by the current administration.
