In this article, we will talk about the interesting Facts about the Great Lakes. Our discussion is limited about the Great Lakes of North America. The Great Lakes are a series of interconnected freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada–United States border, which connect to the Atlantic through the Saint Lawrence River. It consists of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. To know more facts about the Great Lakes check the list below
Facts about the Great Lakes 1: Name Origins
The name Erie in Lake Erie is originally from Erie tribe. The second lake, Huron, got its name from French explorers for inhabitants in the area, Wyandot or “Hurons”. The name of Lake Michigan came from the Objiwa word “Mishigami”, it means great water. While the Lake Ontario was named from the word ontarío means lake of shining waters. The last lake, Superior, refers to English translation of French term lac supérieur (upper lake), based on its position north of Lake Huron.
Facts about the Great Lakes 2: Geography
Despite the fact that the five lakes located in separate basins, they naturally interconnected body of fresh water within the Great Lakes Basin. A chain connecting the east-central interior of North America to the Atlantic Ocean is formed by the lakes.
Facts 2 (Geography)
Facts about the Great Lakes 3: Lake Michigan-Huron
Because of their hydrological body of water connected by the Straits of Mackinac, Huron and Michigan Lakes occasionally considered a single lake.
Facts about the Great Lakes 4: The Largest Island in the Lakes
There are roughly 35,000 islands scattered throughout the Great Lakes. Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is the largest island among them. This island is large enough to contain multiple lakes itself.
Facts 4 (The Largest Island in the Lakes)
Facts about the Great Lakes 5: Largest Group of Freshwater Lakes on Earth
The Great Lakes which is consist of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. It contains 21% of the world’s surface fresh water by volume.
Facts about the Great Lakes 6: Surface Area
The total surface area of the lakes is almost the same size as the United Kingdom. Its total surface area is roughly 94,250 square miles (244,100 km2). Check out facts about the Galapagos Tortoise here
Facts 6 (Surface Area)
Facts about the Great Lakes 7: Formed at the End of the Last Glacial Period
The scientists estimate that the Great Lakes have been formed about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last glacial period. The retreat of the ice sheet left behind a large amount of melt water that filled up the basins that the glaciers had carved, thus creating the Great Lakes.
Facts about the Great Lakes 8: Climate
It has a humid continental climate with different influences from air masses from other regions including dry, cold Arctic systems, mild Pacific air masses from the West, and warm, wet tropical systems from the south and the Gulf of Mexico.
Facts 8 (Climate)
Facts about the Great Lakes 9: Drinking Water
Tens of millions of people in bordering area get their drinking water from the Great Lakes. The resources are collectively administered by the state and provincial governments adjacent to the lakes.
Facts about the Great Lakes 10: The Lake Effect Snow
The lakes produce a snow during winter. It happens when cold winds move across long expanses of warmer lake water. It warms the lower layer of air which picks up water vapor from the lake, rises up through the colder air above, freezes and is deposited on the downwind shores. Check out facts about the French Language here
Facts 10 (The Lake Effect Snow)
Hopefully those interesting Facts about the Great Lakes will give you additional information about the Great Lakes.
