Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US Users

Google Maps has made a surprising change to its US users' maps, renaming 'Lake Ontario' to 'Lake America'. The decision comes after US President Donald Trump's executive order to rename the lake as part of an escalating trade feud with Canada. The move affects the US Geographic Names Information System, which sets standards for official US maps.

However, it has no impact on Canadian naming conventions or how the rest of the world refers to the lake. Google explained in a blog post that people using maps in the US will see 'Lake America', those in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario', and those outside of the US and Canada will see both names.

The decision has sparked backlash from Canadian leaders, with Prime Minister Mark Carney immediately rejecting the name change. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared that 'New York won't be calling it that', while Phil Scott, the Republican governor of Vermont, called Trump's decision 'petty and disappointing' on social media.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a large lakeside sign reading 'Lake Ontario: Now and Always' in English and French. He stated that 'President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you, the rest of the world will always call it Lake Ontario.'