Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, signed two state laws on Monday, mandating the change of all references from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in the state, thereby fulfilling the wishes of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
The change is due to the fact that on January 20, Trump signed Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness," which instructs the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in official U.S. documents and maps.
With this decision, Florida becomes the first state to officially adopt the new name in all documents, educational materials, and maps, according to the outlet Local10.
The laws, identified as HB 575 and HB 549, will take effect on July 1, 2025, and are part of a series of actions supported by the aforementioned Executive Order 14172.
Details of the laws signed by DeSantis
The law HB 575 stipulates that all mentions of "Gulf of Mexico" in state documents and resources must be changed to "Gulf of America," while HB 549 requires state agencies, schools, libraries, and educational centers in Florida to update their geographical materials, maps, and academic information to reflect the new name.
The measure also affects collections acquired or adopted from a specific date by educational institutions, libraries, and teaching media centers.
Institutional support and repercussions
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has already announced that it will begin implementing the change across all its materials, maps, and official documents, including marine management programs, fishery research, conservation patrols, and waterways.
In a statement, the FWC expressed its support for Executive Order 14172 by Donald Trump, which recommends renaming the Gulf of Mexico at the federal level as "Gulf of America," arguing that it would strengthen national identity and reduce foreign references in U.S. territory.
A controversial change
The announcement has generated a division of opinions. While conservative sectors applaud the change as a reaffirmation of "American pride," critics label it as unnecessary, symbolic, and lacking historical or geographical support.
In addition, the change lacks international recognition and has not been adopted by other Gulf coastal states, such as Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Geography experts point out that the name "Gulf of Mexico" has been used for centuries and is validated by international organizations such as the UN.
Next steps
Starting July 1, 2025, all state agencies, public schools, and libraries in Florida will be required to begin the process of replacing terms, although full implementation is expected to take several months.
Meanwhile, the change has sparked a new debate about the politicization of language and geography in the United States.
Trump declared February 9 as "American Gulf Day."
Donald Trump signed a proclamation declaring February 9 as the "Gulf of America Day", referring to the body of water known as the Gulf of Mexico.
The decree was issued aboard Air Force One while the president was en route to Super Bowl LIX of the NFL in New Orleans.
Frequently Asked Questions about the name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America
Why did Florida change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America?
Florida changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America to align with Executive Order 14172 signed by Donald Trump, which aims to reinforce national identity and eliminate foreign references. This change is part of a series of symbolic actions that promote what Trump calls "American greatness."
What implications does the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida have?
The name change means that all state agencies, schools, and libraries in Florida must update their documents and maps to reflect the new name "Gulf of America." This process will begin on July 1, 2025, and is expected to take several months for full implementation.
What has been the international reaction to the name change of the Gulf of Mexico?
The international reaction has been mostly negative, especially in Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum deemed the change inappropriate and lacking international validity. The change has generated diplomatic tensions and is perceived as a unilateral act by the United States.
How have technology companies like Google and Apple responded to the name change of the Gulf of Mexico?
Google and Apple have updated their maps to reflect the new name "Gulf of America" in the United States, although they retain both names in other parts of the world. This decision has sparked criticism and potential legal action from Mexico, which views the change as a unilateral imposition.
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