They are changing the names.
On Monday, Google announced that its maps will adopt the names “Mount McKinley” and “Gulf of America,” following the executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Trump’s directive, issued on January 20, instructed the Interior Secretary to change the names of Denali and the Gulf of Mexico on federal maps within 30 days. These changes are expected to be reflected in the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey. Google stated that it will update its maps accordingly when the GNIS adopts the new names.
Despite these changes, Google noted that place names may differ outside the U.S. If international standards do not recognize Trump’s renamed terms, “Denali” and the “Gulf of Mexico” will remain on Google Maps for users in other countries. The move has faced opposition from Alaska’s senators, who argue that retaining the name Denali is essential in preserving the state’s indigenous heritage.
Trump’s decision to restore the name Mount McKinley, after the 25th U.S. president, was motivated by McKinley’s contributions to economic growth and territorial expansion during his presidency. Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” stems from his belief that Mexico has not adequately controlled the flow of undocumented immigrants into the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded with humor, suggesting that Mexico could refer to the U.S. as “America Mexicana,” a historical term.
The Associated Press (AP), a global news organization, stated that it would honor the name change to Mount McKinley in its reports. The AP noted that Mount McKinley was the mountain’s official name before it was changed to Denali during the Obama administration. However, regarding the Gulf of Mexico, the AP intends to continue using its original name while acknowledging Trump’s new designation, given its historical and international recognition over 400 years.
