David Bridges
In a notable update, Apple Maps has changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for users in the United States. This change occurred just one day after Google Maps implemented a similar modification. The shift in nomenclature has sparked discussions about the implications of such renaming on geographical identity and international relations.
Following his inauguration last month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that officially rebranded the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. While this order reflects the U.S. government’s new stance, it does not legally bind private companies like Google or Apple. The gulf is bordered by several countries, including the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba, meaning that no single nation can unilaterally dictate the body of water’s name globally.
Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico to America
Google Maps has committed to following the recent name change, explaining that it adheres to a “longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” This commitment was manifested earlier this week when Google Maps updated its labeling to reflect Trump’s directive, showing the new name in parenthesis for those accessing the map from outside the U.S., while completely renaming it for domestic users.
On the other hand, Apple’s response to the renaming issue has been somewhat muted, as the company has not released an official statement regarding its plans. However, it now seems that Apple is following a similar path to Google, updating the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in accordance with updates from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
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When users search for either “Gulf of Mexico” or “Gulf of America” on the Apple Maps macOS app, they are directed to the correct geographical area. The map still displays it as “Gulf of Mexico,” but the accompanying popup has been updated to indicate “Gulf of America.” This is also true for the browser beta of Apple Maps within the U.S., where the map shows “Gulf of America,” yet the sidebar and pin continue to read “Gulf of Mexico.”
Apple Maps’ browser beta in the U.S., showing the Gulf of Mexico labelled as such on both the pin and sidebar, but labelled Gulf of America on the map.
Credit: Mashable screenshot: Apple
For users in Australia, searching either “Gulf of Mexico” or “Gulf of America” on the Apple Maps browser beta or iOS app leads to the correct location. However, both the map and sidebar currently continue to label the area as “Gulf of Mexico.” This situation may change soon, as reports from Bloomberg suggest that Apple plans to extend the name change globally, starting with U.S. users. It remains uncertain whether this will entail a complete relabeling or simply a designation in parenthesis, similar to Google’s approach.
Mashable has reached out to Apple for further clarification on this matter.
Apple Maps’ browser beta in Australia, showing the Gulf of Mexico labelled as such on both the map and sidebar.
Credit: Mashable screenshot: Apple
This is not the first instance where Apple has adjusted its mapping services to align with governmental requests. A previous situation arose in 2019 when Apple faced backlash in Ukraine for designating Crimea as part of Russian territory, a change that was only visible to users accessing the app from within Russia. At that time, Russian officials acknowledged Apple’s compliance with local legislation.
While President Trump’s executive order does not legally compel Apple to alter its naming conventions for the Gulf of Mexico or America, aligning with the new administration’s stance could help bolster Apple’s standing with Trump. As many tech giants vie for the favor of the current administration, Apple may feel pressure to ensure it remains in good graces.
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Daniel Mercer
