Google Maps to change Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' – DW – 01/28/2025
www.dw.com
Google Maps announced it will be following the US government's lead in changing the name of Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' in the US.

Summary

Google Maps will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users following a U.S. government decision.

The U.S. Department of Interior recently announced the official name change, implemented by the Board on Geographic Names.

Google stated it updates names based on official government sources.

The name will remain “Gulf of Mexico” in Mexico and display both names elsewhere globally.

This change stems from an executive order by Trump, who also reversed the 2015 renaming of Alaska’s Denali to Mount McKinley.

  • Hegar@fedia.io
    105·
    3 days ago

    Well google maps can fuck right off, the cowards. What are everyone’s recommendations for alternatives?

    • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
      39·
      3 days ago

      Depends.

      If you just want a map to find things, OsmAnd is good.

      If you want to prepare hiking/biking trail maps and then download them for offline use, Alpi Maps is really nice.

      If you want useful navigation that includes traffic data and gets the realistic arrival time close to correct, Magic Earth is really the only option (traffic time estimates depend on users agreeing to share their location data while using ME for navigation so that it can make traffic speed assessments - quality will depend on how many other ME users in your area have agreed to share their data).

      All 3 ultimately depend on OpenStreetMap for their map data. If you use them, consider creating an account and contributing with a tool like StreetComplete.

      If you want something that has locations of businesses &etc with accurate names, operating hours, contact information, pictures of the location, street view, user reviews… there are no alternatives.

      • atzanteol@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        5·
        3 days ago

        It’s just… No. I’ve used osmand for years and it’s the absolute worst. The interface is way too complicated to use and the search is absolutely useless. I can only use it for offline maps while hiking to see where I am.

        • exu@feditown.comEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          That’s fair. For me none of the alternatives offer enough features to replace it. I often use it to highlight POIs of a type and all the different map views are great.