The Canadian-American Great Lakes region

This region is made up of 5 lakes which cover a total area of 244,100 square kilometres. The latter are known as the largest group of lakes in the world after Lake Baikal which is located in Russia. The surroundings of the Canadian-American Great Lakes attract many hikers and tourists because of the beautiful landscapes they offer. Discover some necessary information to know in this article if you want to visit the places.

The region is listed in the northern part of America. It partially constitutes the dividing line between America and Canada. In the United States, the lakes border the states of Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, and New York.

The history of the Canada-US Great Lakes dates back 10 millennia, towards the end of the Ice Age. The Laurentide ice sheet that covered the Great Lakes region and part of the North American peninsula melted as a result of global warming. This huge ice cap left behind a significant amount of meltwater.

Today, the large basin is inhabited by about 30 million people. There are also several settlements built on the banks. In the United States, the most populated are Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit. As for the Canadian side, Toronto has the largest number of inhabitants.

The basin formed by the Canada-US Great Lakes contains the highest percentage of fresh water in the world. Let's take a tour of the United States and Canada and then try to get more information on these 5 lakes.

In the 17th century, Lake Superior was known as Lake Almé Pigou, Lake Condé or Lake Tracy. Its name was changed because of its surface area of 82,100 square kilometers which places it in the category of the largest lake in the network. According to estimates, Lake Superior is capable of holding the volume of the other 4 lakes and even three times the volume of Erie. It also has the highest altitude recorded at 183 meters with an average depth of 147 meters. In addition, Lake Superior is the one with the lowest pollution rate.

At 18,529 square kilometres, Lake Ontario is the smallest on the list. Located to the east, it is bordered in the north and northeast by Toronto and Kingston. You will also find it along the city of Rochester and New York State in the United States. Although Lake Ontario is less vast than the others, it has a maximum depth of 244 meters with an altitude of 75 meters.

Lake Michigan ranks third in extent and is the only lake that lies entirely within US territory. Its area is 57,750 square kilometers and it has a depth of between 85 meters to a maximum of 281 meters. Lake Michigan is still home to national parks even though it is bordered by the city of Milwaukee and Chicago, which are experiencing strong industrial development and a considerable increase in population.

Lake Erie is shallow with a height of 19 meters. This phenomenon is explained by a moderately powerful rejection rate. In other words, if the other lakes have a water retention capacity of 22 to 200 years, that of Erie is only 3 years. It receives its waters from Lake Superior from the famous Niagara and Detroit rivers. It is possible to visit these rivers both in the United States and in Canada.

With an area of 59,600 square kilometres, Lake Huron is the second largest lake in the Canadian-American Great Lakes. On the other hand, he is fifth in the world ranking. Lake Huron has the same elevation as Lake Michigan and Lake Superior which allows it to receive its water directly from these basins.

The specificity of Huron lies in the fact that it is home to approximately 30,000 archipelagos including Manitoulin Island, the largest island on the planet. Also on site is the longest bridge that connects Lake Huron to Lake Michigan from the Strait of Mackinac.

The region preserves many national parks such as Isle Royal, Pukaskwa, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and many more. It is also possible to enjoy the sumptuousness of large cities, magnificent beaches and breathtaking landscapes.

It is a good plan if you like camping or doing outdoor activities with family, couple or friends. Pukaskwa Park is located in Ontario in Canadian territory. This province is located northeast of Lake Superior. You can also visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore which is a little further west, but in the same area. This place is based in a grandiose landscape of fauna and flora ideal for hikers. It is also popular for its impressive panorama overlooking colorful cliffs and magnificent beaches.

It is formed by a group of islands that extend over an area of 80 kilometers above the Saint-Laurent River, near Ontario. You have the possibility of reaching around twenty islands by boat and once there, the site will still have a lot to say with its tourist remains. You can also hike within the islets of the Thousand Islands. Also, be sure to visit the city of Mississauga, Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Kingston while you're there while passing through Lake Ontario.

For those who want to get away from it all, enjoy the calm and feel the wind in their hair, Isle Royal National Park is the perfect place for solitaries. You will have the opportunity to admire nature on board a boat or while canoeing. Freshwater sailors will be spoiled with the ability to perform underwater dives. Isle Royal sits northeast of Lake Superior and while it's a great place to relax, beware of the wolf population that the park is home to.