Google Maps has recently made a significant change, replacing the name “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America” for users in the United States on both web and mobile platforms. This change came after the Trump administration officially altered the name of the body of water that stretches between the eastern coast of Mexico and the Florida panhandle. Google cites the GNIS (Geographic Names Information System), a US location information database, as the basis for this change.
Regional Variations in Naming
While users in Mexico will still see the name “Gulf of Mexico,” the rest of the world will observe the original name with “Gulf of America” in parentheses. Google determines which version of the body of water users see based on their location. This determination is made using data from their mobile operating system, SIM card, and network. For desktop users, the changes are dependent on search settings or device location information, if not provided.
Response from Other Mapping Companies
In contrast, Apple Maps has not yet implemented any changes, although searches for “Gulf of America” are redirected to the Gulf of Mexico. Other mapping services like MapQuest have also not made any alterations. Interestingly, Waze, a mapping platform owned by Google, displays both names when users search for “Gulf of Mexico,” but does not yield results for “Gulf of America.”
Regional Localization in Mapping Services
The localization of mapping services based on regional preferences and political decisions highlights the complexity of geographic naming conventions. These changes reflect the influence of governmental decisions on digital platforms and the need for consistency in presenting location information to users.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps underscores the impact of political decisions on digital platforms. While Google has aligned with the US government’s official change, other mapping services have yet to follow suit. This shift in naming conventions sheds light on the complexities of geographic localization and the need for consistency in presenting location information to users.
FAQs
Q: Why did Google change the name from “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America”?
A: Google made the change in response to the formal alteration of the name by the Trump administration, following the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database.
Q: How does Google determine which name to display based on user location?
A: Google uses data from the user’s mobile operating system, SIM card, and network to determine their location and display the corresponding name of the body of water.
Q: Are other mapping services like Apple Maps and MapQuest making similar changes?
A: While Google has implemented the name change, Apple Maps and MapQuest have not made any alterations as of now.
Credit: www.theverge.com
