Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in US
Google Maps has updated its US maps to display 'Lake America' in place of Lake Ontario, following President Donald Trump's executive order renaming the Great Lake for official US government use.
The change only applies within the United States and does not affect users in Canada or elsewhere. According to Google, those using Maps in the US will see 'Lake America,' while Canadians will continue to see 'Lake Ontario.' Users outside of both countries will see both names displayed.
Trump's executive order, signed on August 27, directs the US Department of the Interior and the US Board on Geographic Names to update the federal government's geographic database. The change also affects Apple Maps, with Trump personally asking Apple to adopt the new name, although Apple has yet to confirm whether it will make the change.
MapQuest, an online mapping service, has refused to change the lake's name to reflect the order, stating 'We're not changing it' and allowing users to name the lake whatever they want. The decision comes amid strained relations between the US and Canada following recent trade negotiations and a dispute over tariffs.