1 day ago
Apple Maps Renames Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’ After Trump Order
President Donald Trump ordered the United States to use the name “Lake America” for Lake Ontario.
He also asked Apple to change the name on its maps.
Apple changed the name on the web version of Apple Maps on Tuesday.
Google had already made the change for people using Maps in the United States.
People in Canada still see the name “Lake Ontario.”
People in other countries may see both names on Google Maps.
Canada objected because it does not have to use the United States’ chosen name.
A Seneca Nation leader also criticized the change because of Indigenous concerns and an old treaty.
Apple changed the web version of Apple Maps to show “Lake America” for Lake Ontario on Tuesday.
The change followed President Donald Trump’s executive order and Google Maps’ earlier update for US users.
Google Maps shows “Lake America” in the US, “Lake Ontario” in Canada, and both names elsewhere.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Trump had contacted Apple directly about the renaming.
Canada and a Seneca Nation leader criticized the change, citing sovereignty and Indigenous treaty concerns.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Apple, Google, Canada, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and a Seneca Nation leader.
- What
- Apple changed the web version of Apple Maps to label Lake Ontario as “Lake America” after Trump’s executive order.
- Where
- The lake lies between New York state in the United States and Ontario province in Canada.
- When
- Google made its update late Saturday, and Apple changed its web map on Tuesday; Trump signed the order on Friday.
- Why
- Trump directed the US Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the US geographic naming service and asked mapping platforms to reflect the change.
US Renaming Supporters
Canadian and Indigenous Opponents
Official map label
US Renaming Supporters
The Trump administration wants US geographic services and mapping platforms to use “Lake America,” and Google said its US label follows names assigned by the US Geographic Names Information System.
Canadian and Indigenous Opponents
Canada continues to use “Lake Ontario,” and the United States cannot force Canada to adopt its preferred name.
National sovereignty
US Renaming Supporters
The administration treats the change as an official US geographic naming update following Trump’s executive order.
Canadian and Indigenous Opponents
Canadian critics reject the change, saying a US decision does not determine the name used by Canada.
Indigenous concerns
US Renaming Supporters
The administration has pursued the renaming as part of its broader geographic naming policy, including the earlier “Gulf of America” change.
Canadian and Indigenous Opponents
A Seneca Nation leader called the move disrespectful to Indigenous people and said it violates a treaty more than 225 years old.
Key facts
- New US label
- Lake America
- Apple update
- The web version of Apple Maps changed the label on Tuesday.
- Google Maps in the US
- US users see “Lake America.”
- Google Maps in Canada
- Canadian users see “Lake Ontario.”
- Google Maps elsewhere
- Users outside the US and Canada see both names.
- US executive order
- Trump directed the Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the US geographic naming service.
- Criticism
- Canada and a Seneca Nation leader opposed the renaming.
Quotes
Doug Burgum
US Interior Secretary who described Trump’s request to Apple
“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.”
NDTV
“reached out to Apple directly.”
NDTV
Sources
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