Page 6 - B is for Beacon: A Great Lakes Lighthouse Alphabet

Formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age,
the five Great Lakes make up the largest
supply of freshwater in the world. The lakes
G is for Great Lakes cover 95,000 square miles of surface area,
10,000 miles of shoreline, and provide drink-
From Sunken Rock ing water to over 40 million people.
to Grand Marais, Superior is the largest, deepest, and coldest
the Lakes serve all lake. Huron has the longest shoreline and
for work and play. was the first to be visited by European
explorers. Michigan has the world’s largest
freshwater dune system and is the only lake
without a Canadian coastline. Erie is the
shallowest and warmest lake with the best
walleye pike fishing. Ontario starts at the
base of Niagara Falls and its name derives
from the native Huron word for shining water.

The Great Lakes form their own ecosystem
with thousands of native plants and animals.
Bordered by eight U.S. states and Canada,
the lakes are home to almost 400 light-
houses (260 on the U.S. side), most of which
are still used for navigation for recreational
boating as well as commercial shipping.