Society & Politics
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Just how great is Lake Ontario?

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of Canada. Lake Ontario has the smallest surface area of all the Great Lakes, but it's pretty deep. At its deepest point, Lake Ontario has a depth of 244 meters.

The vastness of Lake Ontario, seen from somewhere on the shores of Lake Ontario
The vastness of Lake Ontario, seen from somewhere on the shores of Lake Ontario

I've personally seen Lake Ontario from many points of view. My aunt lives in Toronto, so I've seen Lake Ontario from there. I have also looked at the vastness of Lake Ontario from Rochester, NY, on my way to Cleveland, many years ago. My brother recently went to Toronto during his vacation and swam in Lake Ontario, even though the water is pretty cold; just for the mere experience of swimming in one of the Great Lakes of Canada.

Lake Erie drains into Lake Ontario through the world famous Niagara river and Niagara Falls, a set of two different large waterfalls, the most impressive of which are the so-called Horseshoe Falls, located on the Canadian side. Seriously, the Canadian falls really make the American falls look like an insignificant faucet stream, in comparison.

Lake Ontario is located approximately 1,600 kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico —another large body of water. However, unlike the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario is landlocked and filled with freshwater; not saltwater like the Gulf of Mexico.

A map of Lake Ontario
A map of Lake Ontario

According to wikipedia, "the name Ontario is derived from the Wendat (Huron) word Ontarí'io, which is often translated as "great lake". Lake Ontario was also named Lac Cataraqui at a time when Lake ontario (as well as each one of the Great Lakes) was part of the territory of New France. Moreover, at the time of Champlain's exploration of the area, Lake Ontario was also named Lake St-Louis, before it was given its current name: Lake Ontario.

16th century map of New France, featuring Lac Ontario
16th century map of New France, featuring Lac Ontario
Updates
4 d
The map of Lake Ontario is actually from the 17th century, not the 16th. My mistake.
Just how great is Lake Ontario?
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