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The Great Lakes, with over 17,000 kilometers of coastline – more than the East, West and Gulf Coasts
of North America combined – offer an incredible variety of landforms and wildlife habitats. The sea
kayak, modern successor to the traditional Inuit skin boat, is the ideal craft to explore and enjoy
these vast freshwater seas.
The Great Lakes contain one fifth of all the world's fresh water. The water in the lakes could cover
all of Canada to a depth of one meter. Each of the Great Lakes is among the 15 largest lakes and inland
seas in the world.
The Great Lakes consist of:
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Name
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Size (sq km)
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Lake Ontario
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19,000
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The eastern-most and smallest of the Great Lakes
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Lake Erie
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25,660
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The southern-most Great Lake
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Lake Michigan
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57,730
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The only Great Lake entirely within the United States
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Lake Huron
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59,570
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Includes Georgian Bay.
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Lake Superior
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82,070
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The western-most and largest of the Great Lakes
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Georgian Bay is part of Lake Huron and is often called the sixth Great Lake. Its eastern shore,
including the 30,000 islands, was recently declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This is to
recognize the unique character of the area in its geology, biodiversity and heritage.
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All photographs and articles on greatlakeskayaker.ca are copyright © Michael Daly unless otherwise marked.
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