Lake Michigan

COORDINATES: 44°N 87°W
SURFACE AREA: 22,404 mi² | AVG DEPTH: 279 ft | MAX DEPTH: 923 ft

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes in the United States and is located in the northeastern part of the country. The lake has a long and storied history that dates back thousands of years.

Native American tribes, such as the Potawatomi and Ojibwe, have lived in the region around Lake Michigan for thousands of years, and the lake played an important role in their cultures. The lake provided a source of food and transportation for these tribes, and many of their legends and stories revolve around Lake Michigan.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, European explorers and fur traders arrived in the region, and Lake Michigan became an important route for trade and exploration. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the lake was an important economic and industrial hub, with the development of the railroads and shipping on the lake.

Today, Lake Michigan is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, and it remains an important economic resource for the region. However, the lake has also faced environmental challenges, such as pollution and the invasion of harmful algae blooms. Efforts are ongoing to conserve and protect Lake Michigan and its surrounding ecosystems.