President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario, located between Canada and the United States, as 'Lake America.' In response, Apple has updated its maps to reflect this change. Following Google, Apple is now using the name 'Lake America' on its maps for users in the U.S., continuing the naming dispute between the two countries.
According to the Wall Street Journal on September 1, Apple has begun displaying Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' on its maps for U.S. users.
Previously, Google also changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in its mapping service. However, Google Maps displays different names based on the user's location: 'Lake America' in the U.S., 'Lake Ontario' in Canada, and both names in regions outside the U.S. and Canada.
Both Apple and Google are updating their map names based on the U.S. Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Trump's recent executive order comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada. Canada has expressed strong opposition to the unilateral renaming by the U.S.
Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes situated between Ontario, Canada, and New York, U.S. It has long been known as 'Lake Ontario' in both countries.
Canadian officials have made it clear that they will not accept the U.S. renaming. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated, "Lake Ontario has been known as Lake Ontario for hundreds of years, and it will continue to be called that."
Canada has also taken symbolic action against the renaming. On August 29, Ontario installed a large sign by the lakeshore reading, 'Lake Ontario. Now and Always.'
According to the Associated Press, the sign measures 24 feet wide and 12 feet tall, mounted on a 6-foot support, making it roughly the height of a two-story building.
In a video unveiling the sign, Ford remarked, "Long after President Trump has left the White House, this will still be known as Lake Ontario."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also affirmed the commitment to the name Lake Ontario, arguing that it predates both the founding of Canada and the U.S. Declaration of Independence, dismissing the U.S. renaming request.
The dispute over the lake's name symbolizes the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canada amid trade conflicts, with the U.S. adopting 'Lake America' in its mapping services while Canada firmly asserts its claim to 'Lake Ontario' with large signage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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