The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Sunday that the Gulf of Mexico will officially be called the U.S. Gulf and that North America's highest peak, Denali, will become Mount McKinley to “honor the legacy of American greatness.” The order on this matter was previously signed by President Donald Trump.
“These changes reaffirm the nation's commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans honor the legacy of its heroes and historic assets,” the Department of Homeland Resources said in a statement.
President Trump signed a controversial executive order on January 20 ordering the change of certain geographic names.
Mount Denali, now McKinleyChris Melzer/PAP
He restored the name that Obama changed
Mount McKinley, named for President William McKinley in 1917, 16 years after the Republican was assassinated while he was in office, was renamed Denali in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama. Obama acknowledged the peak's traditional name, by which it had long been informally known in Alaska.
AP estimates that most residents of the state will use the indigenous name Denali.
American Gulf
Donald Trump for the first time announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico on January 8. – We are going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the American Gulf. What a beautiful name. And it is appropriate, he said. – We do most of the work there, it's ours – he added.
For these announcements Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum then reactedwhich presented a map of the North American continent from the 17th century during a specially convened press conference.
– Why don't we call it “Mexican America”? Sounds nice, right? – she asked. She then pointed out that the name “Mexican America” was not invented by her and had indeed been used in the past. It was even included in the founding document of Mexico from 1814, preceding the first constitution of this country, the politician pointed out.
Continuing her statement, Sheinbaum moved on to the Gulf of Mexico, which has been known internationally since 1607.
Claudia Sheinbaum, president of MexicoPAP/EPA/MARIO GUZMAN
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most important waters in the region – due to the transport of goods, the oil industry and fishing. The Washington Post notes that it has had its current name for over four centuries. It is sometimes called the “third coast” of the United States because it is bordered by five American states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Meanwhile, CBS indicates that the length of the coastline of the gulf off the coast of Mexico and USA is almost equal – the bay also borders the Mexican states: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. It is the third country with access to the bay Cuba.
Main photo source: Chris Melzer/PAP