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Google has announced that it will follow the U.S. government's policy regarding the updating of names on its maps. The company stated that it will only modify the naming of places when the federal government updates its official listings.
After taking office, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, ordered that the waters surrounding the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba be renamed as the "Gulf of America."
It also ordered that the highest peak in the United States revert to its former name of "Mount McKinley" instead of "Denali."
Google confirmed in a post on X that it has a long-standing policy of implementing name changes only when they have been updated in official government sources.
The company detailed that Maps will reflect any modifications in the Geographic Names Information System, a database that contains over a million geographic features in the United States.
"When that happens, we will quickly update Google Maps in the United States to show Mount McKinley and the Gulf of America," the company stated.
"Another practice that has been in use for some time is the following: when official names vary between countries, Maps users see the local official name. In the rest of the world, everyone sees both names. This also applies in this case," Google concluded.
The name "Denali" is the preferred name by the natives of Alaska and was restored in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama.
Previously, the mountain was named William McKinley, in honor of the late 19th-century U.S. president, a designation that dates back to the era of gold prospectors.
The CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, was one of the billionaires who attended Donald Trump's inauguration at the Capitol as a guest on January 20.
The Associated Press (AP), a global news agency, announced that it will continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its historic name of over 400 years, while also acknowledging the designation of "Gulf of America."
However, it will adopt the use of "Mount McKinley" instead of "Denali," arguing that the mountain is solely located in U.S. territory and that President Trump had the authority to modify geographic names within the country.
Frequently asked questions about Google's and the U.S. government's name change of the Gulf of Mexico.
Why would Google change the name of the Gulf of Mexico on its maps?
Google follows the U.S. government's policy to update names on its maps. The company will only change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" if official U.S. government sources update this name in their listings.
What motivated Donald Trump to want to rename the Gulf of Mexico?
Donald Trump believes that the name "Gulf of America" better reflects the breadth and significance of U.S. territory. During his presidential campaign, Trump announced his intention to change the name as a way to assert the influence of the United States in the region.
What has been Mexico's response to the attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico?
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected the proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Sheinbaum described the idea as inappropriate and lacking international validity, stating that the Gulf will continue to be recognized as the Gulf of Mexico in the country and the rest of the world.
How does this controversy affect diplomatic relations between the United States, Mexico, and other countries?
The attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico could generate diplomatic tensions. Experts warn that a unilateral name change by the U.S. could set a concerning precedent in international relations and affect relationships with Mexico and Cuba, among other countries.
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