Google Maps Will Show ‘Gulf of America’ to U. S. Users

Lesson made on January 28, 2025

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Reading Lesson:

Google announced it will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in its Maps app for U.S. users. This change follows an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, who wants it renamed in all official U.S. documents. The decision was part of several actions Trump took during his first week in office.

Trump also announced another major renaming: Alaska’s tallest mountain, Denali, will go back to its old name, Mount McKinley. Trump said this change honors President William McKinley, who helped make the U.S. “very rich” during his time in office. Denali had been renamed in 2015 by President Obama to recognize the Indigenous people of Alaska, who have called it Denali for thousands of years.

Google explained that U.S. users of its Maps app will see the new names after official government updates. However, people in other countries will still see both names listed. The company said its goal is to reflect what is used in official sources.

Trump mentioned these name changes in his inauguration speech, saying they show America’s strength and greatness. He believes renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America will reflect the U.S. as the most powerful and respected country in the world.

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, reacted to Trump’s decision with humor. She added that, for Mexico and the rest of the world, the body of water will still be known as the Gulf of Mexico.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does Trump believe the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico will achieve?

a) Help U.S.-Mexico relations.
b) Make the U.S. seem more powerful.
c) Preserve history.
d) Support international tourism.

2. Why did Trump decide to rename Denali back to Mount McKinley?

a) To honor Indigenous people.
b) To follow Obama’s decision.
c) Because Google suggested it.
d) To recognize President McKinley’s contributions to U.S. wealth.

3. What will Google Maps show to U.S. users?

a) The new names only.
b) Both the old and new names.
c) Only old names.
d) No names.

4. What can you guess about Trump’s view of past presidents like McKinley?

a) He does not respect them.
b) He thinks they made the U.S. strong.
c) He disagrees with their decisions.
d) He prefers modern leaders like Obama and Biden.

5. Why did Obama rename Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015?

a) To honor a president.
b) To support tourism in Alaska.
c) To respect Indigenous heritage.
d) To match Google’s maps.

6. How does Google respond to geographic name changes?

a) Google always chooses the most popular names.
b) Google changes names to match what other countries do.
c) Google only uses names from official government sources.
d) Google does not allow users to see old names.

7. How did Mexico’s president react to Trump’s decision?

a) She ignored it.
b) She found it amusing.
c) She strongly opposed it.
d) She agreed with it.

8. What could be a potential problem with changing names on Google Maps?

a) People might stop using Google Maps.
b) It might cause technical issues in the app.
c) It might create confusion for international users.
d) It will increase the app’s cost.

9. Why does Google keep both names for users outside the U.S.?

a) To avoid confusion outside the U.S.
b) To support U.S. political goals.
c) To promote American culture.
d) To reduce costs of updating maps.

10. What is the main idea of the article?

a) Trump wants to rename U.S. cities.
b) Google has stopped showing names in other languages.
c) Mexico changed the Gulf of Mexico’s name.
d) Trump ordered changes to geographic names in the U.S.

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. Do you think it is fair to change names that have been used for a long time? Why or why not?
   
   
2. What are some place names in your home country, and what do they mean?
   
   
3. Can you think of any other places in the world that have changed their names? Why did they change?

More Reading Practice:

Tell me about the history of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf of Mexico is a large body of water located in the southeastern part of North America, bordered by the United States to the north, Mexico to the west and south, and Cuba to the east. The Gulf was formed over a vast period of time, starting with the shifting of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. Around 300 million years ago, the area was part of a vast shallow sea. Over time, the land slowly sank and the sea became deeper, creating the Gulf we know today.

Civilizations such as the Olmec, Maya, and later the Totonac and Huastec, thrived in the region. These societies built large cities and developed advanced knowledge of agriculture, astronomy, and engineering, centuries before European contact.

In the 16th century, European explorers arrived in the Gulf region, including Spanish explorers led by Ponce de León, who is believed to have reached the Gulf in 1513. The Spanish claimed the area and established settlements, introducing European culture, agriculture, and trade systems.

As European influence grew, the Gulf became a center for the transatlantic slave trade, as many enslaved Africans were brought to the region to work on sugar and tobacco plantations. The Gulf also became an important part of the global economy due to its role in trade, especially for goods like sugar, cotton, and other agricultural products.

During the 1800s and 1900s, the region’s economy shifted toward oil exploration and fishing. The discovery of large oil reserves in the 1900s led to the development of drilling platforms and refineries, making the Gulf one of the most important oil-producing areas in the world.

Today, the Gulf of Mexico remains a vital part of the economy, providing resources like seafood, oil, and natural gas. It is also an area of great environmental importance, supporting a wide range of ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands. However, the Gulf also faces challenges, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and the effects of climate change.

Link: Maps of the Gulf of Mexico

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