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Great Lakes System

An interactive map exploring the five Great Lakes - the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.

Run Full Screen MicroSim

About This MicroSim

Learn about each of the five Great Lakes:

  • Superior - Largest by surface area
  • Michigan - Only one entirely in the US
  • Huron - Has over 30,000 islands
  • Erie - Shallowest and warmest
  • Ontario - Receives water from Niagara Falls

Remember: HOMES

The acronym HOMES helps you remember all five lakes: - Huron - Ontario - Michigan - Erie - Superior

How to Use

  1. Click on any lake marker to see detailed information
  2. Read about area, depth, and interesting facts
  3. Quiz Me! to test your Great Lakes knowledge

Key Concepts Demonstrated

  • The Great Lakes hold 21% of the world's fresh surface water
  • They border 8 US states and 2 Canadian provinces
  • Lake Superior is the largest; Lake Ontario is the smallest
  • Together they form the largest freshwater system on Earth

Lesson Plan

Learning Objective: Students will identify the five Great Lakes and describe key facts about each.

Bloom's Taxonomy Level: Remember/Understand (L1/L2)

Activities:

  1. HOMES Memory (3 min): Practice the HOMES acronym
  2. Explore (5 min): Click each lake and read the facts
  3. Size Comparison (5 min): Order the lakes from largest to smallest
  4. Quiz (7 min): Complete the 5-question quiz

Technical Notes

  • Built with Leaflet.js
  • CARTO Voyager basemap for clear lake visibility
  • Interactive markers with hover and click states
  • Lakes
  • Rivers
  • Water Features
  • US Borders