Geography – Super Facts

Gulf of America is not Recognized Internationally

Super fact 130 : Gulf of America is not Recognized Internationally. The United Nations does not recognize the name “Gulf of America,” and continues to use the internationally established name Gulf of Mexico. The name “Gulf of America” applies only to the domestic agencies of the United States.

The U.S. executive order renaming the body of water only applies within the United States and its federal agencies. International organizations and hydrographic groups, such as the International Hydrographic Organization, continue to officially recognize the historical name, the Gulf of Mexico. The UN (towards bottom) and global news organizations such as the AP will continue to use the name Gulf of Mexico.

Countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico / Gulf of America, including Mexico, do not recognize the name change. English speaking countries such as the UK continues to call it the Gulf of Mexico. You can read more about the UK stance here. In non-English speaking countries such as my native country Sweden, the Gulf is called something that translates to the “Gulf of Mexico”. In Swedish, the Gulf is called “Mexikanska golfen”, and it is the name that appears in media, on maps, and typically in speech.

The Geographic Names Information System (a US federal database) and US federal agencies adopted the name Gulf of America, and Google maps and Apple maps adopted the new name in the US. If you switch country, it may say Gulf of Mexico, or Gulf of Mexico or other local name followed by (Gulf of America), i.e., Gulf of America in parenthesis. MapQuest and OpenStreetMap chose not to adopt the name “Gulf of America” at all.

The six minutes and 43 seconds long video below by the mapping company World Maps Online explain why they did not adopt the name “Gulf of America”. In short, it is because they follow the UN naming conventions (at 5:40 in the video). Earlier in the video it is explained that the renaming only applies to the US continental shelf area, not the entire body of water, yes, even in the US the entire gulf was not renamed. The video also explains that naming conflicts are common and that there is no global authority that can resolve them and therefore the International Hydrographic Organization, the leading international map naming organization uses numbers instead of names. You are naturally free to listen to the whole video, but I am starting it 5 minutes in.

I have become aware that many Americans now incorrectly believe that the new name Gulf of America is “official” everywhere and therefore they go around trying to correct people. It is an important fact that is widely misunderstood and therefore I consider it a super fact.

My Personal Encounter with the Gulf of Mexico vs Gulf of America Controversy

I write beer reviews in various places, and I administer several Facebook beer review groups. When I said I was vacationing by the Gulf of Mexico in one of the Facebook beer groups that I administrate, two guys I have never seen posting anything in the group demanded that I change Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. I explained that this beer group is international. There are people from Germany, Sweden, France, Mexico, Canada, China, as well as US, posting in the group, so using a more internationally recognized name is just practical. I was not trying to make a point, which was true.

However, I can add that the name Gulf of America does not seem to be very popular even in the US. A February 2025 poll by Marquette University found that, among 1,018 respondents nationwide, 71% opposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico and only 29% supported the name change. So, the people who lecture others about using Gulf of America instead of Gulf of Mexico should maybe reconsider.

Origins of the name Gulf of Mexico

The name “Gulf of Mexico” is derived from the ethnonym Mexica referring to the Nahuatl-speaking people of the Valley of Mexico also known as the Aztecs. The name “Gulf of Mexico” has been in use since the 1550s and is internationally recognized.

Lake Ontario versus Lake America

A similar situation exists with Lake Ontario. A US executive order has been issued to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. However, this is not internationally recognized. As mentioned, a country can rename an international body of water for its own domestic agencies, but that change has no binding legal effect on other nations or international bodies.

As with the Gulf of Mexico the old and internationally used name “Lake Ontario” is derived from indigenous languages. The name Ontario is likely derived from the Iroquoian word Kaniatarí:io or Oniatarí:io meaning “lake of shining waters” or “beautiful lake”. It has been in use since at least 1641.

This is a map of the five great lakes. I added the name “Lake Whatchamacallit” in red with a red arrow to indicate which of the lakes I am referring to. — Lake Ontario is now called Lake America in the US. This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons from this Wikipedia location. I updated it by adding Lake Whatchamacallit.

I can add that our President has also issued an executive order changing the name Denali (also indigenous name) to Mount McKinley. However, this is in Alaska, which is US sovereign territory and a bit different. He can do that. Another situation exists with the proposed renaming of New Mexico to New America. New Mexico happens to be written into the New Mexico constitution, making an official name change beyond the President’s power. I can also add that Like the Gulf, the region historically known as Nuevo Mexico was named for the valley, not for the country or even the Spanish province of Mexico. Nuevo Mexico was probably named circa 1560 to 1580 and first appeared on maps in the early 1590s.

What About Renaming Canada Geese to Donald Ducks?

Finally, a little joke

Five Canada Geese by a lake. They have yellow hair on top of their heads. — Can Canada Geese be renamed to Donald Ducks? Asking for a President. I generated the picture with the help of ChatGPT.

To see the other Super Facts click here

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Share Superfact 56 – The Bermuda Triangle the Big Non-Mystery

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Thomas Wikman’s Superfacts – #History #Myths The Bermuda Triangle the Big Non-Mystery

Imagine my delight when I saw the post above. Sally is sharing my super fact 56:

Super fact 56 : The Bermuda Triangle mystery is a myth. There is not a higher risk of disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. To be specific, disappearances do not occur in the so-called Bermuda Triangle, or Devils Triangle, with any higher frequency than in other comparable regions of the ocean. The “mystery” of the Bermuda Triangle is largely a manufactured one, perpetuated by sensationalized accounts that often misrepresent the facts and downplay the role of natural hazards like storms.

In addition, she is promoting my Leonberger dog book for which D.L. Finn wrote a great review. Thank you so much Sally and D.L. Finn. Please click the link and see the Smorgasbord blog magazine post.

The Bermuda triangle has one corner in Bermuda, one in Puerto Rico and one around Miami, Florida. | The Bermuda Triangle the Big Non-Mystery — The Bermuda Triangle: It is approximately defined as a triangle Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. There is no exact definition. Alphaiosderivative work: -Majestic-, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Share Superfact 57 – Half the World’s Population Live within a 2 Percent Circle

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Thomas Wikman’s Superfacts – Half the World’s Population Live within a 2 Percent Circle

Imagine my delight when I saw the post above. Sally is sharing my super fact 57: Super fact 57 : Half the World’s Population live within a circle that covers 2% of the world’s surface, or 10% of earth’s land area. This circle is often referred to as the “Valeriepieris Circle” or Yuxi Circle, and it is centered on southeast Asia. In addition, she is promoting my Leonberger dog book for which Robbie wrote a great review. Thank you so much Sally and Robbie. Please hop over to Smorgasbord blog magazine and read it.

Half the World’s Population Live within a 2 Percent Circle

Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts

I started this blog, superfactful, in August of 2024. The goal of my blog is to create a list of facts that are important, not trivia, and that are known to be true yet surprising, shocking or disputed by large segments of the public. I determine what is true by evaluating the evidence I find in reliable reputable sources and if a longstanding scientific consensus is available that certainly helps. In some cases, I have expertise in the subject myself, which also helps. Whether a fact is important and surprising or disputed is a judgment call. In some cases, there are polls to help me determine how surprising or disputed the fact is. I am trying to avoid trivia and click bait, and I am only focusing on what is true, important and mindboggling.

It is a project I hope to learn a lot from, and I hope others will also learn something from reading it. We are all drowning in misinformation, false beliefs and unsubstantiated assumptions. We often know and understand less than we think. I have been bamboozled in the past and I am pretty sure you have too. If this blog can spread a little bit of light, I am happy.

In 2024 I posted 25 super facts and in 2025 I posted 53. I am hoping to one day to have collected 200 super facts. I have also made 64 other kinds of posts on this blog such as book reviews for educational books as well as other fact related posts. Below are ten selected super facts from 2025. To read the full post click the links.

That Earth is round was well known long before Columbus

Super fact 28: That Earth is round, or spherical (or closely spherical) had been known for at least a couple of thousand years by the time Columbus set sail. Columbus did not set sail to prove that earth was round, and he knew it was round.

I’ve realized that this comes as a surprise to some. To read the post click here.

The earth globe showing the side with the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean covers most of this side. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts — Columbus thought earth was smaller. He did not know about the Pacific Ocean. Earth Pacific Ocean view Stock Illustration ID: 1617553012 by Matis75

EV Cars Indeed Emit Less Carbon Pollution

Super fact 29: EV Cars emit less pollution than Internal Combustion Engine, even considering manufacturing, disposal and EV Cars being charged by dirty grids.

There is a lot of misinformation about EVs including that EVs are not better for the environment. To read the post click here.

The histogram graph show that if you consider construction of facilities, manufacturing of vehicle and battery, production of fuel, vehicle operation as well as disposal the total average greenhouse gas emissions from EV cars is 52% less. — Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions comparison of average gasoline car and 300 mile range EV. Feedstock and fuel include the generation of electricity for EVs.

Scientists Agree that Global Warming is happening and that we are the Cause

Super fact 34: Climate Scientists agree that Global Warming or if you call it Climate Change is happening, and that it is caused by us primarily because of our burning of fossil fuels. There is a long-standing scientific consensus on these two facts because the evidence is conclusive. Typically, studies show an agreement of at least 97% or 98% among climate scientists.

Polls show that most American are unaware of the consensus among climate scientists. To read the post click here.

There is almost total agreement among climate scientists that global warming, or climate change, is happening and is caused by us. To understand why, you need to know a little bit about the impressive evidence, which for all practical purposes is conclusive. Take a look at this post “Global Warming is Happening and is Caused by us”

The green graph is going up slightly starting from 46% in 2009 and ending in 58% in 2023. The black graph starts at 33% in 2009 and ends in 22% in 2023. The yellow graph starts at 2% in 2009 and ends in 2% in 2023. — The green graph corresponds to “most scientists think global warming is happening (%).” The black graph corresponds to “there is a lot of disagreement among scientists (%)”. The yellow graph corresponds to “Most scientists think global warming is NOT happening (%)”. Graph taken from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Time Dilation Goes Both Ways

Super fact 38 : If two observers are moving compared to each other both will observe the other’s time as being slower. In other words, both observers will observe the other’s clocks as ticking slower. Time slowing down is referred to as Time Dilation.

Clocks slow down as you travel at high speeds. However, the person travelling think they are standing still. It is the other person who is travelling. This is confusing. To understand it click here.

The picture shows two people Alan and Amy. Alan is on the ground. Amy is flying by Alan in a rocket speeding left. Both Alan and Amy are pointing lasers to the left. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts — In this picture Amy is traveling past Alan in a rocket. Both have a laser. Both measure the speed of both laser beams to be c = 299,792,458 meters per second. The speed of light is a universal constant.

Emissions of ozone-depleting gases have fallen by 99 Percent

Super fact 41 : Largely thanks to the Montreal Protocol in 1987 the emissions of ozone-depleting gases have fallen by more than 99%, 99.7% to be exact, according to Our World in Data. This has resulted in halting the expansion of the ozone holes and the reduction in emissions of ozone-depleting gases is saving millions of lives every year.

A gigantic victory for the environment that few are aware of. To read the post click here.

Gases visualized in the diagram are CFCs, Halons, HCFCs, Carbon Tetrachloride, Methyl Bromide, Methyl Chloroform. The diagram shows a peak around the end of 1980’s. — The phase out of six ozone depleting gases. Data source UN Environment Program (2023).

Sulfur dioxide pollution has fallen by 95 percent in the US

Super fact 44 : Sulfur dioxide pollution in the US has fallen by approximately 95% since the 1970s. This significant reduction is primarily due to regulations like the Clean Air Act. Global sulfur dioxide pollution has also fallen but not as much.

Another big victory for the environment that we seldom hear of. To read the post click here.

The graph shows a steep increase towards the end of the 19th century with a peak in 1973, followed by a steep decline. — US sulfur dioxide pollution since 1800. Data Source: Hoesly et al (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS). This graph is taken this page in Our World In Data. US Emissions peaked in 1973.

I should mention that by clicking this link you can visit the graph above Our World in Data and select different countries and regions and play around with the settings.

We Exploded Thousands of Nuclear Bombs

Super fact 48 : Since 1945 we have set off more than 2,000 Nuclear Bombs corresponding to a yield of an estimated 42,000 times that of the Hiroshima Bomb.

That we have exploded these many nuclear bombs was a surprise to me and perhaps to you too. To read the post click here.

Russian Tsar Bomba mushroom cloud rising high above the clouds. High quality photo realist ( 3d make ). | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts — This is an illustration of the Tsar Bomba explosion by by mbafai Shutterstock Asset id: 2208486661. To see a photo of the actual Tsar Bomba explosion click here (it is copyrighted).

The Euler Number Math Magic

Super fact 53 : The Euler number denoted e, is an irrational number, which like the number pi is extremely important in mathematics. In addition, the relationship between the Euler number and pi; seemingly unrelated numbers, is quite amazing, especially if you throw the imaginary number: i = square root of -1 into the mix. Euler’s formula e^ix = cos(x) + isin(x), where x is degrees expressed in radians, is mind blowing to say the least. Radians means that 180 degrees is replaced by pi, and 90 degrees is replaced by pi/2, etc. A simpler special case, but equally amazing is Euler’s identity e^ix = -1, or e^ix + 1 =0. This is amazing math assuming you understand it.

One of the most amazing math facts explained. To read the post click here.

The formula e^ix + 1 =0 shown on a blue and black background. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts — Euler’s formula in cyber space with grid 3d illustration, Asset id: 1636161301 by Giggle2000

The Bermuda Triangle the Big Non-Mystery

A surprise to the people who are convinced that there really is a mystery. To read the post click here.

The Bermuda triangle has one corner in Bermuda, one in Puerto Rico and one around Miami, Florida. — The Bermuda Triangle: It is approximately defined as a triangle Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. There is no exact definition. Alphaiosderivative work: -Majestic-, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Evolution is a Fact

Super fact 63 : Evolution is both a fact and a scientific theory. It is a fact that life has changed over time. This is supported by overwhelming evidence, while the theory of evolution provides a comprehensive scientific explanation for these changes, using processes like natural selection.

Yes, there are scientific facts, and that evolution is happening is an observed scientific fact. To read the post click here.

A photo of a trilobite fossil. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts — The fossil record is a lot more solid and much less problematic than the creationist books I have read claimed. Shutter Stock Photo ID: 1323000239 by Alizada Studios

Happy New Year to You All

To see the other Super Facts click here

Polar Nights Are Phenomenal and Cover a Large Area

Super fact 69 : Polar nights happen in the regions north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle. Together the two polar regions cover an area double as large as the United States, and it includes a population of millions of people. During a polar night the sun does not rise for days, or months, up to six months. The polar nights are special, not just for the daytime darkness, but for the spectacular aurora borealis, the starlit skies, the extremely clear air, and the fact that people often lose track of time during polar nights.

It should be noted that even though the sun never rises during the polar night it may not be totally dark during the entire polar night. Part of the time you may get some light in the middle of the day, what is called polar twilight (nautical twilight or astronomical twilight). Nautical twilight tends to be bluish as shown in the photo below.

Characteristic nautical (blue) polar twilight in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When our kids were young, we visited the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi in northern Sweden. We went in March, during the American spring break, which was not during the polar night, so we did not experience it then. The polar night in Jukkasjärvi will begin December 5, 2025, or December 10, 2025, depending on how you count, and end at the beginning of January. However, the Ice Hotel was a fun way to experience a polar region. When I did my Swedish army service I spent the winter in the forest around that area, and even further north, and I experienced the Polar Night firsthand,

Photo is of a large ice table and ice chairs located in the middle of the lobby, which is filled with tall pillars made of ice at the ice hotel. Polar Nights Are Phenomenal and Cover a Large Area — The lobby of the ice hotel. Our kids are sitting around a table of ice. A chandelier of ice is hanging above the table. The light is from fiber optics, so the ice won’t melt.

During my army service we stayed in tents in the forest far away from villages and cities and we often did not use any lights. The result was that it was incredibly dark most of the time. It was so dark that I could not see my own hand if I held it right in front of my face. The upside was that the sky was filled with thousands of stars on a clear night. It is estimated that you can see between 2,500 to 5,000, even 10,000, stars in the sky with the naked eye if you have good vision and it is completely dark. You could also see the Milky Way Galaxy very clearly and easily, as well as the Andromeda Galaxy, meteors, comets, satellites, not to mention the most spectacular aurora borealis that you can see anywhere on earth. That certainly beats the 14 stars and 3 planets that you can see with the naked eye on a clear night here in Dallas, Texas, where I live now.

Stars in the sky. Blue night panorama, a universe full of stars, nebula and galaxies | Milky way sky on dark background, and a lot of stars. — Milky way sky on dark background, and a lot of stars. Asset id: 2524020369 by MR.PRAWET THADTHIAM

On one occasion I was standing guard outside the camp. We were pretending that we were at war with the Soviet Union. It was minus 40 degrees, and they forgot about me. I stood there alone in the darkness and the extreme cold for more than three hours. This was considered dangerous. The rule was no more than one hour out in the cold at a time. Once they discovered that I had been there for more than three hours they came to get me, and they apologized profusely. They were happy that I was not hurt. However, I did not mind, because my night sky view was spectacular. The night sky was so spectacular, it was to die for.

If it is cloudy and you are far from any civilization it may be pitch black in the afternoon. Even if it is not cloudy but the moon is not out it will be pitch black later in the afternoon. In addition, the air is very clear during the polar night, because the cold sunless Arctic air often contains almost no moisture and the visibility stretches for 100 miles. If you want to remain unseen in this situation it is very important to understand that even the tiniest light will be very visible, far away. Our platoon did an experiment. Someone lit a cigarette about one mile away and we could very easily see the bright cigarette even through the forest. The lesson was, No Cigarettes, and No lights!

Stunning aurora borealis lights up the night sky with vibrant colors, creating a mesmerizing natural display in the Arctic wilderness. | Polar Nights Are Phenomenal and Cover a Large Area — Aurora Borealis are often spectacular in the polar regions, especially during the polar night. Asset id: 2499746583 by HappyVibeArt

I consider this a super fact because the polar night is a surprising phenomenon to those who do not know much about the arctic and my claims above are true and important since the polar regions are large and under threat from climate change / global warming. The polar regions and thereby the polar night also cover an area that is not small, and four million people live there.

Partial map of the northern hemisphere focused on the polar circle. — The Arctic Circle, at roughly 66.5° north, is a commonly-accepted boundary of the Arctic waters and lands. CIA World Fact Book, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Midnight Sun

I can add that in the summer (northern hemisphere) you have the opposite phenomenon with the midnight sun. Just like the polar night can cause people to lose track of time so can the midnight sun. When we visited northern Sweden with our niece Jessica for my brother’s wedding, we had what is called midnight sun. Jessica was nine years old at the time. A couple of hours after we had gone to sleep Jessica woke me up “wake up Thomas, it is time to go out and play”. I protested, no it is not, it is one a clock at night and we are going to sleep. Jessica protested, she said, “No the sun is up, it is morning it is time to play”.

So, I said “Jessica, let me explain something to you. This is northern Sweden in June and here the sun is up in the middle of the night, and we are not going outside to play in the middle of the night.” After that my wife went out to play with Jessica, but I refused to go out and play at one o clock at night.