10 Fun Facts About Lake Superior

Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes in North America, and it is also the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It covers an area of approximately 31,700 square miles and has a maximum depth of 1,333 feet.

The lake is fed by more than 200 rivers and streams, including the St. Marys, the Pigeon, and the Ontonagon. It is also the source of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a navigable waterway that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Superior is known for its cold, clear water, which is some of the purest in the world. The lake has a relatively low nutrient content, which means that it does not support a diverse ecosystem. However, it is home to more than 80 species of fish, including lake trout, whitefish, and cisco.

The lake is bordered by the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as the province of Ontario in Canada. It is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming.

The lake has a long and storied history, with many stories and legends surrounding it. One of the most famous is the legend of the Kitchi-Gami, a sea monster said to inhabit the lake's waters.

The lake is also home to a number of lighthouses, including the Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore and the Whitefish Point Lighthouse on the South Shore. These lighthouses were built to guide ships through the lake's dangerous waters and have become popular tourist attractions.

The lake's cold water and rugged coastline have made it a popular destination for sea kayaking. Many people come to the lake to paddle along its shoreline, explore its islands, and see its beautiful beaches.

The lake is also home to a number of shipwrecks, including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in 1975 during a violent storm. The wreckage of the Fitzgerald was discovered in 1995 and has become a popular dive site for scuba divers.

The lake has a rich cultural history, with many indigenous communities living along its shores. These communities have a long tradition of fishing, hunting, and gathering on the lake.

Lake Superior is a popular destination for birdwatching, with more than 260 species of birds found in the area. The lake's islands are home to a variety of migratory birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.