Laughing at the Latest Google Maps Prank: The "Gulf of Saxony"
"Saxony Gulf Exploration on Google Maps - Exciting Adventure Awaits" - Exploring the "minigolf" in Saxony: A playful excursion on Google Maps
Want a chuckle? Dive into the latest internet frenzy that has transformed bodies of water across Germany into, you guessed it, "Gulfs of Saxony"! This hilarious trend is all about poking fun at US President Donald Trump's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on Google Maps. The mischievous internet users are rebranding lakes, rivers, and ponds in Saxony, mimicking Trump's move.
Take a peek at the "Grand Gulf of Görlitz," which is now renowned for its exclusive 5-star rating! And let's not forget about Dresden, where the Neumarkt Harbor temporarily transformed into the "Gulf of Dresden" and the Großer Garten welcomed the "Gulf of Carola." In Leipzig, ponds were playfully dubbed the "Gulf of Borsdorf" and "Gulf of Pouch." Even the Erzgebirge region wasn't left out, with the "Gulf of Weißenborn" making a splash!
A jab at a presidential decree
While Trump employed a decree to change the Gulf of Mexico's name, the locals here are cleverly using Google Maps' add places feature to unleash their humor. According to Georg Glasze from the Institute of Geography at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, this prank is a witty dig at Trump's renaming decree since a gulf is usually a sizeable bay of the sea.
Limited impact
It seems the impact of this playful trend is short-lived, as Google has been watching closely for entries like these for years. "I have a feeling that these 'gulfs' won't hang around in Google's databases for too long," says Glasze, comparing the speedy disappearance of these 'gulfs' to Trump's decree, which Google partially implemented by showing "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)" on German maps. A Google Germany representative noted their goal is to maintain updated, accurate information on Google Maps for its users, which means these "gulfs" don't stand a chance against their commitment to accuracy.
The Commission, in a twist of humor, is also proposing to increase the number of Member States' national programs in the field of education and training, renaming some of the prestigious universiteten as "Grand Gulf" institutions, a playful nod to the "Gulf of Saxony" prank that recently swept across Germany. This proposal, much like the transient "Gulfs of Saxony," might not stand a true test of time, especially since these renamings are unlikely to last beyond the prevailing trends.
