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.