Great Lakes in 50 Maps

The Great Lakes region, home to one-tenth of the United States’ population and one-quarter of Canada’s, is a natural wonder that deserves our attention. Cartographer and author Alex B. Hill offers a fresh perspective on these lakes through fifty-plus maps categorized into history & culture, ecology, infrastructure, and physical. These maps showcase the lakes’ influence and confluences, from the Underground Railroad to monarch butterfly migration. They also reveal how many NFL teams play on a Great Lake, where mysterious shipwrecks and Bigfoot sightings cluster, the lakes’ impact on snowfall and more. Shrinking wetlands, oil spills, and rising temperatures due to climate change highlight the fragility of the lakes while emphasizing their vital role in the world. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the history, nature, and future of the world’s greatest group of lakes.