Map by Reddit user Porodicnostablo
Most Americans know the Great Lakes are big, but until you see them overlaid on a map of Europe, it’s hard to grasp just how enormous they really are.
This fascinating comparison reveals that our freshwater inland seas could easily swallow up entire countries and still have room for more.
From London to Warsaw: The Great Lakes Span a Continent
Looking at this overlay, Lake Superior alone stretches from roughly London all the way to Warsaw. That’s a distance that would take you through England, across the English Channel, through France, Germany, and deep into Poland.
Meanwhile, the entire Great Lakes system spans from the Atlantic coast of Europe clear across to Eastern Europe, covering what would be multiple time zones on the continent.
Putting European Cities in Perspective
The scale becomes even more impressive when you consider the major European cities that would fit within these waters.
Paris sits comfortably within the bounds of the lakes, while cities like Frankfurt, Munich, and Prague would all be underwater if this were a real geographic overlay. The lakes stretch far enough north to reach beyond Berlin and south enough to encompass major metropolitan areas like Lyon and Milan.
More Than Just Size: Understanding the Great Lakes Impact
This comparison isn’t just a fun geographic exercise.
The Great Lakes contain about 20% of the world’s fresh surface water, making them one of Earth’s most valuable natural resources. If these were European waters, they would serve as the primary water source for hundreds of millions of people across dozens of countries.
The economic impact is equally staggering.
The Great Lakes support shipping routes that rival any European trade network, with cargo vessels traveling distances equivalent to sailing from London to Moscow. The fishing, tourism, and manufacturing industries built around these waters generate economic activity that would rank among Europe’s largest economies.
A New Appreciation for North America’s Inland Seas
Next time you’re standing on the shore of any Great Lake, remember that you’re looking at a body of water larger than most European countries. These aren’t just lakes in the traditional sense but true inland seas that shape weather patterns, support massive ecosystems, and provide resources for millions of people across the American Midwest and southern Canada.
The Great Lakes remind us that North America’s geography operates on a scale that can be difficult to comprehend without the right comparison. They’re not just regional features but continental treasures that deserve our respect and protection.
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