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Mapping the Gulf: A Cartographer’s Response to Name Changes
What significance does a name hold? When it comes to bodies of water, how impactful is it to change their designations?
These questions troubled U.S.-based cartographer Michael Hermann when former President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” Hermann, who has spent years exploring Mexico, developed a profound appreciation for the historical depth of the Gulf.
During a visit to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula some years ago, Hermann, the founder of Purple Lizard Maps, conceived an ambitious project: creating a “story map” that would illustrate 10,000 years of the Gulf’s history, covering everything from ancient civilizations to contemporary oil extraction.
This vision gained urgency when Trump officially changed the Gulf’s name upon his presidential return. Hermann took issue with how Trump portrayed Mexico, reducing it to a caricature filled with negativity. Similarly, Hermann disapproved of Trump’s renaming of North America’s tallest mountain from its original Indigenous name, Denali, to Mount McKinley.
Such actions contribute to a “nationalistic narrative,” imbued with “the shades of white colonial power,” Hermann noted in a recent statement. This prompted him to initiate a Kickstarter campaign aimed at funding his ambitious map project of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Maps shape our collective memory and meaning,” Hermann remarked. “They can tell compelling stories, allowing us to delve deeper into the Gulf’s rich narrative.”
An Amazing History
Trump’s initiative went beyond a mere executive order; he encouraged federal agencies to restrict the use of the term “Gulf of Mexico.” In response to the Associated Press continuing to reference the Gulf by its original name, Trump prohibited AP reporters from attending White House briefings.
Amidst this controversy, Hermann recognized a gap in understanding regarding the Gulf’s unique characteristics and history.
The Gulf of Mexico is renowned for its pivotal role in history; it was the site of a meteor impact 66 million years ago that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Additionally, it played a vital role in the rise of ancient civilizations such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. Over time, the Gulf emerged as a crucial area for colonial expansion and subsequently became integral to U.S. political influence and global oil extraction.
The Whole Story
‘Bye Bye, Traitor’
Project’s Uncertain Future
This article was originally published on GearJunkie.
Source
explorersweb.com