AP sets style guidelines on Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday shortly after his inauguration calling for the closure of the Gulf of Mexico. renowned the Gulf of America and Denali, the highest peak in the United States, for return to name Mount McKinley.

The Associated Press sent its staff the following style tips for both geographies. We will use Gulf of Mexico, while recognizing the name Gulf of America in our copy.

We will also use Mount McKinley rather than Denali.

— The AP

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Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The body of water shares the borders between the United States and Mexico. Trump’s order has authority only in the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, are not required to recognize the name change.

The Gulf of Mexico has had this name for over 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name chosen by Trump. As a global news agency that distributes information around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.

We can use this language to describe the new designation in text, photo captions, and audio and video scripts: “Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. This order has authority only within the United States. Other countries and international institutions continue to use the name Gulf of Mexico.”

For now, our maps, charts and interactive elements will use the Gulf of Mexico. We continue to consult with our product partners on language and labeling.

According to the AP Stylebook, you can also use Gulf or Gulf Coast to describe the body of water along the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

There are other examples where the PA refers to a geographic location by multiple names. For example, the Gulf of California is sometimes called the Sea of ​​Cortés. The U.S. government has designated this body of water as the Gulf of California, while Mexico recognizes it as the Sea of ​​Cortés.

Trump also signed an executive order to rename North America’s highest peak, Alaska’s Denali, to Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect Alaska Native traditions as well as the preferences of many Alaska residents. Trump said in his executive order that he wanted to “restore Mount McKinley after a great president, William McKinley.”

The Associated Press will use the official name change for Mount McKinley. The area is located only in the United States, and as president, Trump has the power to change federal geographic names in the country.

The AP Stylebook will be updated to reflect both decisions.

These two paragraphs can be included in stories if necessary to explain our decision-making:

1. “The Associated Press will refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name while recognizing the name Gulf of America. As a global news agency that distributes information around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are recognizable to all audiences.

2. “The Associated Press will use the name Mount McKinley instead of Denali.” The area is found only in the United States, and as president, Trump has the power to change federal geographic names in the country.

The AP regularly reviews its style guidelines regarding name changes, in part to ensure that its guidelines reflect common usage. We will continue to apply this approach to this guidance and make updates as necessary.