Apple and Google Choose Gulf of America for US Maps Users

Google Maps has officially updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America when accessed in the United States. The decision to make this change was based on an update to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which sets the standard for geographical nomenclature at the federal and national levels. This change was initiated through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Google has a policy of waiting for official government resources to be updated before implementing any name changes.

If you are using Google Maps within the US or have your device’s location set to the region while using the web version, you will see the label as Gulf of America. In Mexico, the label will still display as Gulf of Mexico. For users in other regions, the label will appear as Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) to reflect both names. This aligns with Google’s policy of displaying official local names when there are variations between countries.

Apple has also updated its Maps application and website to show the Gulf of America for US users. While the map graphics still show Gulf of Mexico, clicking on the region will display a card with the Gulf of America name. Apple plans to roll out this change globally, including for users in Mexico.

According to a Congressional Research Service report, private companies like Google Maps and Apple Maps are not affected by the executive order regarding geographical name changes. The report clarifies that decisions made by the US Board on Geographic Names apply only to federal use.

This update to the Gulf of America name in Google and Apple Maps reflects recent changes in geographical nomenclature and highlights the companies’ commitment to following official government updates. For more information, visit the original article on Engadget here: https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-adopts-gulf-of-america-for-us-maps-users-140026397.html?src=rss



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