President Donald Trump’s Interior Department announced on Friday that the official name of the Gulf of Mexico has been changed to the Gulf of America, while the Alaskan peak Denali has been reverted back to Mount McKinley.
“As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America’s highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley,” the Interior Department said in a statement.
Trump issued these name changes shortly after taking office on Monday, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. Mount McKinley was originally named after former President William McKinley but was renamed Denali in 1975 at the request of the state of Alaska.
“These changes reaffirm the Nation’s commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets,” the department said.
During his inaugural address, Trump praised McKinley for his economic policies and expansionist achievements, including acquiring territories such as Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
While Trump has the authority to rename geographical features, the process of changing the official designation of the Gulf of Mexico will involve the U.S. Geological Survey.
