President Trump suggested changing the Gulf of Mexico's name to the "Gulf of America" in his inaugural speech. This isn’t the first time he’s talked about altering geographical names. He’s previously suggested making Canada the "51st State, " asking Denmark to sell Greenland, and wanting Panama to give back the Panama Canal.

Why the Gulf of Mexico? It's a significant part of the U. S. , often called the "Third Coast, " with a coastline across five southern states. The name “Gulf of Mexico” has been used for over 400 years, originating from an ancient Native American city.

Can Trump do this alone? No, it's not a solo decision. The International Hydrographic Organization, which the U. S. is part of, helps maintain uniform names for bodies of water worldwide. While countries can have different names for the same place, it's typically easier if it's within their boundaries.

Has this been tried before? Yes, in 2012, a proposed bill in Mississippi aimed to rename parts of the gulf “Gulf of America, ” but it didn’t pass. Comedian Stephen Colbert also joked about the same idea following an oil spill in 2010.

There are other international disputes over names, like the Sea of Japan or the Persian Gulf. These disagreements show that renaming isn’t always simple.

Why Trump Wants to Rename the Gulf of Mexico

Actions