Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one in the group located entirely within the United States.
Geologically and hydrologically, Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron), but are geographically distinct.
Lake Michigan beaches in northern Michigan are the only place in the world where one can find Petoskey stones, the state stone, aside from a few inland lakes in that region.
The dunes along the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan are the largest lake dunes in the world.
Jean Nicollet, under orders from Samuel de Champlain, was the first European to travel into Lake Michigan through the Mackinac Straits, in search of the fabled Norhtwest Passage.
Lake Michigan (43°30'N, 87°30'W) is the only one of the Great Lakes wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada.
Many small cities in Northern Michigan are centered on a tourist base that takes advantage of the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan is hydrologically inseparable from Lake Huron, joined by the wide Straits of Mackinac.
Lake Michigan has one of the longest water retention spans, nearly 100 years, of the Great Lakes.
Many small cities in Northern Michigan are centered on a tourist base that takes advantage of the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by Lake Michigan.