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:
Map by Reddit user javo2804 showing how the Gulf’s waters are divided
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.
That is not an accurate topographic measurement of land between the US and Mexico. You extend Mexico where Belize is and your wrong. I totally disagree with the measurement.
You’re biased and the truth is the US gulf land is greater than Mexico”s and you can clearly see it on any map.
I hate these left wing narcissistic Marxists who change the truth for a lie.
Well, the U.S. does have more shoreline along the Gulf, than Mexico does, and … President Trump renamed it ‘Gulf of America’, not ‘Gulf of the United States’, which much more accurately describes its location. Cuba would also appreciate the new name.
Ronaldo
5 months ago
I’ll continue to call it the Gulf of Mexico. I hate power hungry, narcistic, wanna-be dictators who change names on maps without reason.
Since when does a US president have a right to change the name of a body of water without due process? As a senior elderly citizen; I find the arbitrarily power of a US president to change a map just because he wants to exercise dictator style “I can do whatever I please” because I have power.
Sandy
3 months ago
we specifically want Gulf of America on the Globe/map. It makes more sense.
Judy J.
2 months ago
400+ years of history. Gulf of Mexico. No reason to change.
BOPOH
2 months ago
Whether you like the guy or not, how does changing the name of this body of water do accomplish anything other than political grandstanding. Some people are pointing out that calling it the Gulf of America is more accurate to its actual location, but forget that historically, pretty much all the land surrounding the gulf was originally colonized by Spain, and was part of Mexico. Through land purchases and wars, Mexico slowly lost control of this land. Not only that, but the name “Mexico” even originally comes with reference to Aztec culture. Based on this context, and the further context that Mexico still is, in fact, connected to the body of water, calling it the Gulf of Mexico is not really any less accurate to its geolocation. What I have just relayed is factual information that you can find in any history book.
When people make the point that the new name is more accurate to location, they are exposing an internal bias towards the name “the Gulf of America.” This can be a bias for a variety of reasons, some of them genuinely may feel that the Gulf of America is more fitting, and others may have other reasons for this Bias.
My main question: Why is changing the name of this body of water necessary? Basically since the 1550s, this body of water has been known as the Gulf of Mexico (with some exception). As far as I am aware, this has not caused any major international incidents, and changing the name certainly wont solve any major issues. Seems like a small thing to make a point to change the name of for no real reason.
That is not an accurate topographic measurement of land between the US and Mexico. You extend Mexico where Belize is and your wrong. I totally disagree with the measurement.
You’re biased and the truth is the US gulf land is greater than Mexico”s and you can clearly see it on any map.
I hate these left wing narcissistic Marxists who change the truth for a lie.
Here’s a perfect map of the bay. Using Mapquest, you can name the Gulf of Mexico whatever you want. https://gulfof.mapquest.com/
Just call it GULF OF TACO BELL come on man
Grow up MAGA!!!!
Lots of labels being thrown around there Bob.
Belize is below the Yucatan. The map is correct.
Well, the U.S. does have more shoreline along the Gulf, than Mexico does, and … President Trump renamed it ‘Gulf of America’, not ‘Gulf of the United States’, which much more accurately describes its location. Cuba would also appreciate the new name.
I’ll continue to call it the Gulf of Mexico. I hate power hungry, narcistic, wanna-be dictators who change names on maps without reason.
I also have a world map on my wall that shows the Gulf of Mexico, and I’m sure it will be hanging there for many years.
There is a good reason. The Gulf is located on the Americas continent, not mexico. It makes much more sense. Oh and it’s official. It’s been changed: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/10/trump-gulf-of-america-name-change-effective/78128577007/
Not in my history book!!!
How is hating Trump a good reason for not changing the name to where it’s actually located. Your reason is illogical and emotionally based.
Since when does a US president have a right to change the name of a body of water without due process? As a senior elderly citizen; I find the arbitrarily power of a US president to change a map just because he wants to exercise dictator style “I can do whatever I please” because I have power.
we specifically want Gulf of America on the Globe/map. It makes more sense.
400+ years of history. Gulf of Mexico. No reason to change.
Whether you like the guy or not, how does changing the name of this body of water do accomplish anything other than political grandstanding. Some people are pointing out that calling it the Gulf of America is more accurate to its actual location, but forget that historically, pretty much all the land surrounding the gulf was originally colonized by Spain, and was part of Mexico. Through land purchases and wars, Mexico slowly lost control of this land. Not only that, but the name “Mexico” even originally comes with reference to Aztec culture. Based on this context, and the further context that Mexico still is, in fact, connected to the body of water, calling it the Gulf of Mexico is not really any less accurate to its geolocation. What I have just relayed is factual information that you can find in any history book.
When people make the point that the new name is more accurate to location, they are exposing an internal bias towards the name “the Gulf of America.” This can be a bias for a variety of reasons, some of them genuinely may feel that the Gulf of America is more fitting, and others may have other reasons for this Bias.
My main question: Why is changing the name of this body of water necessary? Basically since the 1550s, this body of water has been known as the Gulf of Mexico (with some exception). As far as I am aware, this has not caused any major international incidents, and changing the name certainly wont solve any major issues. Seems like a small thing to make a point to change the name of for no real reason.