Lake Michiganās name is derived from the Ojibwa word Michi Gami, meaning ālarge lake.ā
It spans the entire west coast of Michiganās Lower Peninsula,Ā and it is the only one of the five Great Lakes that is located entirely within the United States.
Michiganās third largest lake with a water surface area of 22,300 square miles, Lake Michiganās expansive shoreline boasts several stunning dune regions.Ā Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreĀ is home to cascading sand dunes reaching as high as 450 feet above Lake Michigan. Others includeĀ Nordhouse DunesĀ at Ludington andĀ Warren Dunes State ParkĀ near the Indiana state line, as well as the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center atĀ P.J. Hoffmaster State ParkĀ in Muskegon.Ā The lake also contains numerous islands, notably theĀ Beaver IslandĀ archipelago and theĀ North and South Manitou IslandsĀ located between the Upper and Lower peninsulas.
There are 59 lighthouses that stand on the beaches of Lake Michigan as reminders of the importance of the centuries-old shipping industry, a story told well at theĀ Michigan Maritime MuseumĀ in South Haven. Michigan’s western Great Lakes region benefits from a unique climate, which creates a favorable environment for growing a wealth of agricultural products. The state is a leader in many crops including blueberries, cherries, asparagus and grapes for juice and wine. This has allowed a variety of orchards and vineyards to thrive along Lake Michigan. A tripĀ isnāt complete without dipping your toes into theĀ freshwater and watchingĀ aĀ Pure Michigan sunset.
Information provided by: https://www.michigan.org/great-lakes/lake-michigan
