
TL;DR
President Trump has signed an Executive Order to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', with updates already appearing in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This change has sparked discussions among local mappers about how to reflect this in OpenStreetMap (OSM).
✦ Why It Matters
Engage with local mapping communities to discuss the implications of the name change for geographic data.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
An Executive Order signed by President Trump has initiated the renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', although the order has not yet been officially published. The Geographic Names Board (GNIS) is expected to update its records accordingly, which would lead to changes in OpenStreetMap (OSM) conventions.
Local mappers are discussing how to implement this change, suggesting that the official_name:en-US tag should be updated while keeping the original name until common usage shifts. Historical precedents from similar renaming discussions, such as the Gulf of Mexico's name change, are being referenced.
The community anticipates potential edit wars on OSM as users react to the new name, with some humorously suggesting further renaming trends. The implications of this renaming are significant, as they reflect the influence of federal decisions on local geography and mapping practices.
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