Woman confused while looking at the Great lakes. Have you ever wondered: where are the Great Lakes? Dive into the secrets of the largest freshwater system on Earth!

Where Are The Great Lakes? You Asked, We Answered!

🌊 Have you ever wondered: where are the Great Lakes? Dive into the secrets of the largest freshwater system on Earth! 🏞️ #GreatLakes #Midwest #Geography

DULUTH, MN – The Great Lakes, also known as the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of five interconnected freshwater lakes located in the east-central interior of North America. We’ll get to their exact locations in a second, but they are mostly in the Midwest.

The Great Lakes form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total area and the second-largest by total volume, containing an impressive 21% of the world’s surface fresh water.

Map of the Midwest.
The Great Lakes are all that blue stuff you see at the top right corner of this map.

🌊 Where Are The Great Lakes?

These lakes – Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario – are situated primarily along the Canada-United States border, with the exception of Lake Michigan, which is entirely within the United States.

Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie, photographed from the Sentinel-3B satellite in June 2022, Lake Ontario is not visible in this image.
A photo taken from the International Space Station of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes are bounded by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Hydrologically, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are considered a single body of water, as they are joined at the Straits of Mackinac.

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A map of the Great Lakes Basin showing the five sub-basins. Left to right they are: Superior (magenta); Michigan (cyan); Huron (green); Erie (yellow); Ontario (red).
The Great Lakes Basin showing the five sub-basins: Superior (magenta); Michigan (cyan); Huron (green); Erie (yellow); Ontario (red).

🌍 Shaping the Landscape and History

The formation of the Great Lakes began around 14,000 years ago, as the retreating ice sheets from the Last Glacial Period exposed the basins they had carved into the land. These basins then filled with meltwater, creating the magnificent lakes we know today.

System profile of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes really are great!

Throughout history, the Great Lakes have played a crucial role in transportation, migration, trade, and fishing, serving as a habitat for numerous aquatic species in a region rich in biodiversity.

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🏞️ A Region of Vastness and Beauty

The Great Lakes Basin, which includes the lakes and the land they drain, covers an area roughly the size of the United Kingdom and France combined. The total surface area of the five primary lakes is approximately 94,250 square miles (244,100 km2), nearly equal to the size of the United Kingdom.

The Great Lakes coast measures an impressive 10,500 miles (16,900 km), with Canada bordering about 5,200 miles (8,400 km) and the United States bordering the remaining 5,300 miles (8,500 km).

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🌿 Ecosystems and Phenomena

The Great Lakes region is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, both in and around the lakes. The lakes themselves are known for their sea-like characteristics, such as rolling waves, sustained winds, strong currents, great depths, and distant horizons, leading to their reputation as inland seas.

In recent years, the formation of ice volcanoes over the lakes during wintertime has gained attention, showcasing the unique and dynamic nature of these bodies of water.

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Chicago on Lake Michigan is in the western part of the lakes megalopolis and the site of the waterway linking the lakes to the Mississippi River valley
Chicago is located on Lake Michigan.

🎣 Recreation and Industry

The Great Lakes are not only a natural wonder but also a significant source of recreation and economic activity. Tourism and recreation are major industries in the region, with activities ranging from small cruise ships and sailing to sport fishing, commercial fishing, and Native American fishing.

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The fishing industry alone represents a U.S.$4 billion a year enterprise, with popular catches including salmon, whitefish, smelt, lake trout, bass, and walleye. Additionally, the lakes are popular for various water sports, such as yachting, sea kayaking, diving, kitesurfing, powerboating, and even lake surfing.

A summer day with blue skies and clear water at Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, IN. From singing sands to rare plants, Indiana Dunes National Park is full of surprises. Get ready to have your mind blown!
Indiana Dunes National Park is situated along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

The Great Lakes are an awe-inspiring testament to the power and beauty of nature, offering a wealth of opportunities for recreation, industry, and scientific study. As we continue to learn more about these incredible bodies of water, it is essential that we also work to protect and preserve them for future generations to enjoy and marvel at their majesty.

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