The Gulf of Mexico or America?
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Something interesting is happening with the body of water south of the United States. If you’re in the U.S., your maps might now call it the “Gulf of America” instead of the Gulf of Mexico. This change came after former President Trump signed an executive order, leading the U.S. government to officially update the name. But here’s where it gets complicated – most of the world, including Mexico, still calls it the Gulf of Mexico.
Labels Change Based on Where You Look
Open Google Maps in different countries, and you’ll see something curious:
- U.S. users see “Gulf of America”
- Mexican users see “Gulf of Mexico”
- Users in the UK and elsewhere see “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”
And it’s not just Google – since the U.S. made this official change, other mapping services and navigation apps have started showing different names based on your location.
Who Has the Stronger Claim?
When it comes to naming rights, it’s worth looking at who actually controls these waters. The Gulf is divided into what we call Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), and the numbers are revealing:
| Country | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) | Percentage |
| Mexico | 740,475 | 285,899 | 47.67% |
| United States | 695,121 | 268,388 | 44.75% |
| Cuba | 81,309 | 31,394 | 5.23% |
| International Waters | 36,383 | 14,047 | 2.34% |
| Total | 1,553,298 | 599,731 | 100.00% |
This Isn’t the First Time
Names on maps have always been tricky. Take the waters between Japan and Korea – Japan calls it the Sea of Japan, but Korea insists on the East Sea. Many maps now include both names.
The same goes for the water between Iran and its Arab neighbors. What most know as the Persian Gulf appears as the Arabian Gulf in some countries. Each name carries centuries of history and meaning for the people who use it.
I’m curious – what name are you seeing on your maps and navigation apps? Has anyone noticed the name changing recently? Drop a comment below with what you’re seeing in your part of the world.
