The United States and Canada share the longest international border in the world, spanning over 5,500 miles. This border runs through a diverse landscape that includes mountains, forests, and, most notably, the five Great Lakes. However, there is one Great Lake that the United States does not share a border with Canada. This article will explore which Great Lake that is and why this is the case.
Overview of Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a group of five interconnected freshwater lakes located in the northeastern region of North America. They are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world by total area and the second-largest by volume. The Great Lakes are an important natural resource, providing drinking water to millions of people, supporting diverse ecosystems, and serving as a hub for transportation and commerce.
The Five Great Lakes
The five Great Lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. They are connected by a series of channels and locks that allow ships to traverse the waters between them. Each lake has its own unique characteristics and features, making them popular destinations for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.
US-Canada Bordering Great Lakes
Of the five Great Lakes, four of them share a border between the United States and Canada. These include Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Each of these lakes is shared by both countries, with the international border running through the middle of the water.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the United States. It is the third-largest Great Lake by surface area and the sixth-largest freshwater lake in the world.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the second-largest by surface area. It is located on the northern border of the United States and Canada and is shared by both countries.
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by surface area and the third-largest by volume. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada and is shared by both countries.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest of the Great Lakes by surface area and the smallest by volume. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada and is shared by both countries.
Which Lake is Left?
The only Great Lake that the United States does not share a border with Canada is Lake Ontario.
Answer: Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area and the second-smallest by volume. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada, but the international border runs along the northern shore of the lake, meaning the United States does not share a border with Canada on this body of water.
Why US-Canada does not Border Lake Ontario
The reason for the United States not sharing a border with Canada on Lake Ontario can be traced back to the border settlement between the two countries in 1783. At the time, the border was established along the 45th parallel, which is now the border between Canada and the United States from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. However, Lake Ontario sits south of the 45th parallel, meaning that the northern shore of the lake falls entirely within Canada.
Conclusion
The Great Lakes are an important natural resource that connects the United States and Canada. While four of the five Great Lakes are shared by both countries, Lake Ontario is the only one that the United States does not share a border with Canada. This is due to the border settlement that established the 45th parallel as the boundary between the two countries, which runs south of Lake Ontario.
