2 days ago
Apple and Google Adopt Lake America Name for US Users
President Donald Trump ordered US government maps to use the name “Lake America” instead of “Lake Ontario.”
Google Maps and Apple Maps followed the change for people using their services in the United States.
Google said it updates maps according to official US government sources.
However, private companies did not have to obey the executive order.
MapQuest chose to keep calling the lake Lake Ontario.
People in Canada will continue seeing the original name.
The lake is shared by Canada and the United States.
Canadian leaders said it should remain Lake Ontario.
Trump called the change complete and binding, but that does not make it legally binding on private companies or Canada.
Apple Maps and Google Maps now show “Lake America” to US users.
Google said its change followed the US Geographic Names Information System update.
Private companies are not legally required to follow Trump’s executive order.
Users in Canada will continue seeing the lake called “Lake Ontario.”
Canadian officials rejected the renaming, citing the lake’s shared status and history.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Apple, Google, MapQuest, and Canadian officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- What
- The United States updated its official geographic database to use “Lake America,” and Apple Maps and Google Maps adopted that name for US users.
- Where
- The lake is shared by Canada and the United States; the new name appears in US mapping services, while Canadian users see “Lake Ontario.”
- When
- The executive order was issued before the mapping updates; Google changed its display on Saturday, and Apple followed by Wednesday, according to the articles.
- Why
- Trump directed the US Interior Department to update federal maps and databases, amid broader trade and political tensions between the United States and Canada.
US Designation
Canadian Position
Name used in maps
US Designation
The US government changed its official database to “Lake America,” and Apple Maps and Google Maps adopted the name for US users.
Canadian Position
Canadian officials and users continue to use “Lake Ontario,” which they say should remain the lake’s name.
Authority of the renaming
US Designation
Trump directed the Interior Department to take appropriate action to reflect the new name in US government mapping databases; Trump described the change as complete and binding.
Canadian Position
The executive order applies to US federal agencies, not Canadian territory, private companies, or international hydrographic standards.
Historical and political meaning
US Designation
The renaming was presented as an important change amid tensions following failed trade talks and tariffs on Canadian imports.
Canadian Position
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney opposed the move, citing the lake’s importance and the Indigenous Wendat origin of “Ontario.”
Key facts
- US government database
- The Geographic Names Information System was updated to use “Lake America” in the United States.
- Apple Maps
- Apple adopted “Lake America” for users in the United States after direct lobbying by Trump, according to the articles.
- Google Maps
- Google displays “Lake America” in the US and “Lake Ontario” in Canada; users elsewhere may see both names.
- Private-company obligation
- The executive order directs executive-branch agencies and does not legally require private mapping companies to comply.
- MapQuest
- MapQuest said it would not change the lake’s name and continues using “Lake Ontario.”
- Canadian response
- Doug Ford and Mark Carney rejected the renaming and said the lake would remain Lake Ontario.
- Legal and geographic limits
- The order does not control Canadian territory or international hydrographic standards, and the lake is governed by the Boundary Waters Treaty.
Quotes
Donald Trump
US president who advocated renaming the lake in the United States
“Apple Maps has just announced that it has changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, so now that very important change of names, between Google Maps and Apple Maps, is complete, ratified, and binding. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
republicworld.com
“Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the U.S., people using Maps in the U.S. will see 'Lake America'; those in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario,'”
republicworld.com
MapQuest
Mapping service responding to the Lake America renaming
“we're not changing it”
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
Apple Maps Renames Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’ After Trump Order
Google Maps Labels Lake Ontario Lake America for U.S. Users
Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed Lake America Amid Canada Tensions
Canada Rebukes Trump’s Lake America Order With Giant Sign
