The '''Great Lakes''' are an important water system of North America for transportation, commerce, and recreation. Lying on the border between the United States of America and Canada, they are the largest bodies of fresh water in the world making them an invaluable natural resource. The size is difficult to appreciate until you see them: at 94,250 square miles (244,100 km2) combined, the lakes are nearly as large as the United Kingdom, and a plane flying over one will not see land on any side.
Lakes
Although lakes usually have names like "This Lake" and "That Lake", the Great Lakes are named the other way 'round as "Lake This" and "Lake That". In this area, if someone says "the Lake" without naming it, they're probably referring to the nearest Great one.
'''Lake Superior'''
'''Lake Michigan'''
'''Lake Huron'''
'''Lake Erie'''
'''Lake Ontario'''
Although much smaller than these five, Lake Saint Claire (between Southeast Michigan and Ontario, and between Lakes Huron and Erie) is part of the water system of the Great Lakes.
Regions
The following regions lie around the Great Lakes.
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Niagara Region
New York
Ohio
Ontario
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Cities
The following cities lie on or close to the shores of the Great Lakes.
Canada
Kingston, Ontario
London, Ontario
Montreal, Quebec
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Thunder Bay, Ontario
United States
Buffalo, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Erie, Pennsylvania
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Niagara Falls, New York
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Rochester, New York
Sandusky, Ohio
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Toledo, Ohio
Traverse City, Michigan
Other Destinations
Lake Erie Islands
Niagara Falls
Niagara on the Lake
Thousand Islands
Cedar Point
See
Do
Many boaters utilize the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and their connection points as a travel route. There are many marinas and public boat ramps available for this purpose. Also, the '''[http://www.greatlakescruising.com/ Great Lakes Cruising Company]''' and the '''[http://www.accl-smallships.com/ American Canadian Caribbean Line]''' provide cruises on the Great Lakes.