The Great Lakes are a group of five interconnected freshwater lakes situated in the northeastern region of North America. They are the largest freshwater system in the world and comprise Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior. In this article, we will explore the number of provinces that share a border with the Great Lakes.
The Five Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a vital part of North America’s economy and ecology. They support a range of industries, including shipping, fishing, and tourism, and harbor diverse ecosystems. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, followed by Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. The combined area of the Great Lakes is approximately 94,250 square miles, and they contain roughly 84% of North America’s surface freshwater.
What are the provinces?
Before we dive into the details of how many provinces share a border with the Great Lakes, let’s define what provinces are. A province is a defined area of land that is part of a larger country or territory. In Canada, provinces are similar to states in the United States and are the primary administrative divisions of the country.
Provinces Bordering Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, located on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States. Two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Quebec, share a border with Lake Ontario. Ontario borders the lake to the north and east, while Quebec borders the lake to the northeast.
Provinces Bordering Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake, bordered by four U.S. states (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York) and one Canadian province, Ontario. Ontario borders the lake to the north.
Provinces Bordering Lake Huron
Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes and is bordered by Michigan, Ontario, and the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Ontario borders Lake Huron to the north and east.
Provinces Bordering Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes and is bordered by Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. No Canadian provinces share a border with Lake Michigan.
Provinces Bordering Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, bordered by Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. Ontario borders the lake to the north and east.
How many provinces border the Great Lakes?
In total, two Canadian provinces border the Great Lakes: Ontario and Quebec. Ontario shares a border with all five Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario), while Quebec shares a border with Lake Ontario only.
Total Number of Provinces Sharing a Border
In conclusion, the number of provinces that share a border with the Great Lakes is two. Ontario borders all five Great Lakes, while Quebec borders Lake Ontario only.
References
- "Great Lakes," National Geographic,
- "Provinces and Territories of Canada," Government of Canada,
