Sensitive country has map makers all askew

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Google reclassifies US as ‘sensitive country’ following Trump’s map changes​

Google’s maps division has reclassified the United States as a “sensitive country,” a designation it typically applies to nations with strict governments or border disputes, CNBC reported on Monday.

The change follows an executive order by President Donald Trump directing updates to official maps and federal communications, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and reverting Mount Denali’s name to Mount McKinley.

According to internal correspondence viewed by CNBC, Google’s decision to no longer categorize the US as a “non-sensitive” country was communicated internally on Monday.

The company also announced that Google Maps would reflect the name change for the Gulf of Mexico after the administration’s updates take effect in official government sources.

More:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/tech...S&cvid=8e41cf2db38b4835a00352ee9fff7999&ei=47

 

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Now for the meat and potatoes.

Ok............what's going to happen to world maps and sea charts?

Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ Order Has Mapmakers Completely Lost

One of US president Donald Trump’s first actions upon returning to power was ordering the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed. But mapmakers are still largely waiting for the green light.

www.wired.com

 

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Here's what Grok 2 says.................

The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" by President Donald Trump will have several implications for world maps and sea charts, though the extent and permanence of these changes are subject to various factors:

1. U.S. Federal Maps and Documents:
   • The change will be reflected in all official U.S. federal documents, maps, and charts. This includes updates to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) as mandated by Trump's executive order. However, this change is enforceable only within the U.S. federal system.
2. Impact on International Maps and Charts:
   • The international community is not obliged to adopt the new name. Countries like Mexico and others might continue to use "Gulf of Mexico" on their maps and charts, reflecting the historical and common usage of the name. This situation is akin to other naming disputes around the world where different countries use different names for the same geographical features.
   • Google Maps has announced it will show "Gulf of America" to U.S. users, while users in Mexico will see "Gulf of Mexico," and those outside these countries will see both names, highlighting the split in nomenclature.
3. Navigation and Hydrography:
   • For navigational purposes, international consistency is crucial. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which both the U.S. and Mexico are part of, typically standardizes such names for international use. However, their policies state that such limits have no political significance, suggesting that the IHO might not change its official naming unless there's a broader international consensus.
   • Sea charts used for maritime navigation might continue to use "Gulf of Mexico" to avoid confusion, especially since renaming could lead to navigational errors if not uniformly adopted internationally.
4. Educational and Private Sector:
   • Educational materials, textbooks, and private sector maps in the U.S. might reflect the new name, but globally, educational systems would likely maintain the traditional name unless there's a significant shift in international usage.
   • Companies like National Geographic, which strive to be apolitical, might include explanatory notes for such disputed names or might choose to use the name that's most widely recognized internationally.
5. Long-term Implications:
   • The longevity of this name change depends on future U.S. administrations. Subsequent administrations could potentially reverse this decision, leading to further updates in U.S. maps and charts.
   • The change could also become a point of contention or jest in international relations, with Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, already responding humorously to the proposal by suggesting North America be renamed "Mexican America".

In summary, while the U.S. will reflect this change in its official documentation, the broader impact on world maps and sea charts will be limited due to the lack of international consensus on renaming long-established geographical names. The situation might normalize with dual names on international platforms, but for navigation and global recognition, "Gulf of Mexico" is likely to persist.