Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' Amidst Controversy
Google Maps has made a significant change to its labeling of Lake Ontario, renaming it 'Lake America' for users in the United States. The decision was prompted by a recent change in the official US government geographic naming system.
The move follows a similar instance last year when President Donald Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico renamed to the Gulf of America. However, this latest change has sparked controversy, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford responding by placing a billboard-sized message on the Canadian shoreline reading 'Lake Ontario. Now and Always' in both English and French.
According to Google's parent company Alphabet, these updates follow their long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country. This means that users in Canada will continue to see Lake Ontario labeled as such, while the rest of the world will display both names.