Lake Michigan: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox_lake |lake_name = Lake Michigan |
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|image_lake = Lake Michigan Landsat Satellite Photo.jpg |
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|caption_lake = [[Landsat]] |
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|image_bathymetry = |
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|caption_bathymetry = |
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|coords = {{coor at d|44|N|87|W|region:US_type:waterbody_scale:5000000}} |
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|type = |
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|inflow = |
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|outflow = |
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|catchment = |
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|basin_countries = United States |
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|length = {{convert|307|mi|km|abbr=on}} |
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|width = {{convert|118|mi|km|abbr=on}} |
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|area = {{convert|22400|sqmi|sqkm|abbr=on}}<ref name=nyt/> |
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|depth = {{convert|279|ft|m|abbr=on}} |
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|max-depth = {{convert|923|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=nyt/> |
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|volume = {{convert|1180|cumi|cukm|abbr=on}} |
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|residence_time = 99 years |
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|shore = {{convert|1638|mi|km|abbr=on}} |
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|elevation = {{convert|577|ft|m|abbr=on}} <ref name=nyt/> |
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|islands = ''see [[#Islands|list]]'' |
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|cities = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]], [[Chicago]], ''see [[#Major cities|article for others]]'' |
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|reference = <ref name=nyt>{{cite book | first=John W. (ed.) | last=Wright | coauthors=Editors and reporters of ''The New York Times'' | year=2006 | title=The New York Times Almanac | edition=2007 | publisher=Penguin Books | location=New York, New York | id=ISBN 0-14-303820-6 | pages=64}}</ref> |
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}} |
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'''Lake Michigan''' is one of the five [[Great Lakes]] of [[North America]], and the only one located entirely within the [[United States]]. It is bounded, from west to east, by the [[U.S. state]]s of [[Wisconsin]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], and [[Michigan]]. The word "Michigan" was originally used to refer to the [[lake]] itself, and is believed to come from the [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwa]] Indian word ''mishigami'', meaning "great water."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superiorwatersheds.org/projects.php?id=6|title=Superior Watershed Partnership Projects}}</ref> The lake is slightly larger than the country of [[Croatia]]. |
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==Geography== |
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[[Image:Great Lakes Lake Michigan.png|thumb|left|200px|Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes]] |
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Lake Michigan {{coor d|44|N|87|W}} is the only one of the [[Great Lakes]] wholly within the borders of the [[United States]]; the others are shared with [[Canada]]. It has a surface area of 22,400 square miles (58,016 km²),<ref name=nyt/> making it the largest freshwater lake in the U.S., the largest lake entirely within one country by surface area ([[Lake Baikal]], in Russia, is larger by water volume), and the fifth largest lake in the world. It is 307 miles (494 km) long by 118 miles (190 km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,633 km) long. The lake's average depth is 279 feet (85 m), while its greatest depth is 923 feet (281 m).<ref name=nyt/> It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,918 km³) of water. Its surface averages 577 feet (176 m)<ref name=nyt/> above sea level, the same as [[Lake Huron]], to which it is connected through the [[Straits of Mackinac]]. |
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===Major cities=== |
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12 million people live along Lake Michigan's shores. Many small cities in [[Northern Michigan]] are centered on a [[tourism|tourist]] base that takes advantage of the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by Lake Michigan. These cities have large seasonal populations that arrive from [[Chicago]], [[Milwaukee]], [[Detroit]], and inland cities in [[Southern Michigan]]. The southern tip of the lake is heavily [[industry|industrialized]]. Cities on the shores of Lake Michigan with populations larger than 30,000 include: |
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{| |
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| valign="top" | |
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'''Illinois''' |
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*[[Chicago]] |
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*[[Evanston, Illinois|Evanston]] |
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*[[Highland Park, Illinois|Highland Park]] |
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*[[North Chicago, Illinois|North Chicago]] |
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*[[Waukegan, Illinois|Waukegan]] |
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| width="20px" | |
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| valign="top" | |
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'''Indiana''' |
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*[[East Chicago, Indiana|East Chicago]] |
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*[[Gary, Indiana|Gary]] |
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*[[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] |
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*[[Michigan City, Indiana|Michigan City]] |
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*[[Portage, Indiana|Portage]] |
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| width="20px" | |
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| valign="top" | |
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'''Michigan''' |
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*[[Holland, Michigan|Holland]] |
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*[[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]] |
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*[[Saint Joseph, Michigan|St. Joseph]] |
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*[[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]] |
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| width="20px" | |
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| valign="top" | |
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'''Wisconsin''' |
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*[[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] |
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*[[Kenosha, Wisconsin|Kenosha]] |
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*[[Manitowoc, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] |
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*[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] |
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*[[Racine, Wisconsin|Racine]] |
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*[[Sheboygan, Wisconsin|Sheboygan]] |
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|} |
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===Beaches=== |
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[[Image:Indiana dunes.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sand dune]] on Lake Michigan at [[Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore]]]] |
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Lake Michigan beaches, especially those in Michigan and Northern Indiana, are known for their beauty. The region is often referred to as the "[[Third Coast]]" of the United States, after those of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The sand is soft and off-white, known as "singing sands" because of the squeaking noise (caused by high [[quartz]] content) made when one walks across it. There are often high sand dunes covered in green [[beach grass]] and [[sand cherries]], and the water is usually clear and cold (between 55 and 70 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] [13 and 21 [[Degree Celsius|°C]]]) [http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/twomichigans.html], even in late summer. Lake Michigan beaches in [[Northern Michigan]] are the only place in the world, aside from a few inland lakes in that region, where one can find [[Petoskey stone]]s, the state stone. |
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[[Image:Milwaukee from the harbor.jpg|left|thumb|300px|The [[Milwaukee]] Lakefront.]] |
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The beaches of the western coast and the northernmost part of the east coast are rocky, while the southern and eastern beaches are sandy and [[dune]]-covered. This is partly because of the prevailing winds from the west which also cause thick layers of ice to build up on the eastern shore in winter. |
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Contrary to recent reports, Chicago annually imports fresh sand to replenish the popular city beaches (similar to [[Key West]]) but much of the city waterfront is parks, stone revetments, marinas or residential developments in the north or industrial sites in the south. (see [[Chicago beaches]]) |
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Some environmental problems still plague the lake. [[Steel mill]]s are visible along the Indiana shoreline, and the [[pollution]] caused by these mills is believed to contribute to the color of sunsets. Also, the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' reported that [[BP]] is a major polluter, dumping thousands of pounds of ammonia and raw sludge into Lake Michigan every day from its [[Whiting, Indiana]], oil refinery. <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pollute_15jul15,1,2304440.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed/ Register - New<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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The Chicago [[skyline]] can be seen from the Indiana shore, but when standing on the beaches in Wisconsin or [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|Lower Michigan]], it is impossible to see across the lake, providing a view similar to that of the ocean. |
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===Car ferries=== |
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People can cross Lake Michigan by the [[SS Badger|SS ''Badger'']], a [[ferry]] that runs from [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin]], to [[Ludington, Michigan]]. The ''[[Lake Express]]'' is another ferry, established in 2004, which carries motorists across the lake between [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], and [[Muskegon, Michigan]], at a much higher speed than the S.S. Badger. |
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===Islands === |
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*[[Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)|Beaver Island]] |
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*[[North Manitou Island]] |
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*[[South Manitou Island]] |
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*[[Washington Island (Wisconsin)|Washington Island]] |
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*[[Rock Island (Wisconsin)|Rock Island]] |
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===Parks=== |
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The [[National Park Service]] maintains the [[Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore]] and [[Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore]]. Part of the shoreline is within the [[Hiawatha National Forest]] and the [[Manistee National Forest]]. The [[Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge]] is within the lake. |
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There are numerous state parks located on the shores of the lake or on islands within the lake. |
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*[[Peninsula State Park]] |
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*[[Holland State Park]] |
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*[[Grand Haven State Park]] |
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*[[Hoffmaster State Park]] |
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*[[Ludington State Park]] |
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*[[Silver Lake State Park (Michigan)|Silver Lake State Park]] |
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*[[Illinois Beach State Park]] |
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*[[Indiana Dunes State Park]] |
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===Lighthouses=== |
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*[[Lighthouses in the United States#Illinois|Illinois lighthouses]] |
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*[[Lighthouses in the United States#Indiana|Indiana lighthouses]] |
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*[[Lighthouses in the United States#Michigan|Michigan lighthouses]] |
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*[[Lighthouses in the United States#Wisconsin|Wisconsin lighthouses]] |
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==Geology== |
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Geologically and hydrologically, Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called [[Lake Michigan-Huron]]), but are geographically distinct. Counted together, it is the largest fresh water body in the world by surface area. The [[Mackinac Bridge]] is generally considered the dividing line between them. Both lakes are part of the [[Great Lakes Waterway]]. In earlier [http://www.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/1733d4.jpg maps] of the region, the name ''Lake Illinois'' has been found in place of "Michigan". |
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==Ecology== |
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Lake Michigan is home to a variety of species of fish and other organisms. It was originally home to [[lake trout]], [[yellow perch]], [[panfish]], [[largemouth bass]], [[smallmouth bass]], [[carp]], [[bowfin]], as well as some species of [[catfish]]. In recent years overfishing has caused a decline in lake trout which ultimately caused an increase in the [[alewife]] population. As a result, [[Coho salmon|coho]] and [[Chinook salmon|chinook]] salmon were introduced as a predator of alewives to decrease the alewife population. Lake Michigan is now being stocked with several species of fish. However, several invader species introduced, such as [[lamprey]]s, threaten the vitality of fish populations. |
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==See also== |
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*[[Chicago River]] |
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*[[Grand Traverse Bay]] |
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*[[Door Peninsula]] |
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*[[Bay of Green Bay]] |
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*[[Leelanau Peninsula]] |
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*[[Little Bay de Noc]] |
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*[[Little Traverse Bay]] |
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*[[Seiche#Lake_seiches|Seiche]] |
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*[[Great Lakes Areas of Concern]] |
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*[[Jardine Water Purification Plant]] 1 billion gal. of water/day |
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==Notes== |
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<div class="references-small"> |
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<references /> |
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</div> |
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==Further reading== |
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* Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. ''The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes.'' Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. ISBN 0814325548 ISBN 9780814325544. |
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* Oleszewski, Wes, ''Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses'', (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0. |
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* Penrod, John, ''Lighthouses of Michigan'', (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 9780942618785 ISBN 9781893624238 |
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* Penrose, Laurie and Bill, A'' Traveler’s Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses'' (Petoskey, Michigan: Friede Publications, 1999). ISBN 0923756035 ISBN 9780923756031 |
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* Wagner, John L., ''Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective'', (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1880311011 ISBN 9781880311011 |
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* Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, ''Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia'' Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1550463993 |
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==External links== |
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{{commonscat|Lake Michigan}} |
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*[http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/atlas/index.html EPA's Great Lakes Atlas] |
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*[http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/ Great Lakes Coast Watch] |
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*[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lake-trout-refuge-lake_michigan_151629_7.pdf Michigan DNR map of Lake Michigan] |
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;Lighthouses |
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* [http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/bibliography.html Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses] |
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* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/GL/MichiganNorth.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in area (northern Lake Michigan)] |
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* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/GL/MichiganSouth.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in area (southern Lake Michigan)] |
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* [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/index.htm Terry Pepper on lighthouses of the western Great Lakes] |
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* [http://clarke.cmich.edu/lighthouses/index.htm Wagner, John L., Beacons Shining in the Night], Michigan lighthouse bibliography, chronology, history, and photographs, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University] |
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{{greatlakes}} |
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[[Category:Great Lakes|Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Lakes of Illinois|Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Lakes of Indiana|Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Lakes of Michigan|Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Western Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Northern Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Lakes of Wisconsin|Michigan]] |
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[[ar : بحيرة ميشيغان]] |
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[[arc:ܝܡܬܐ ܕܡܝܫܝܓܢ]] |
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[[bn:লেক মিশিগান]] |
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[[zh-min-nan:Michigan Ô͘]] |
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[[bs:Jezero Michigan]] |
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[[cv:Мичиган (кӳлĕ)]] |
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[[cs:Michiganské jezero]] |
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[[da:Lake Michigan]] |
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[[de:Michigansee]] |
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[[et:Michigani järv]] |
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[[es:Lago Michigan]] |
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[[eo:Miĉigano (lago)]] |
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[[eu:Michigan Lakua]] |
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[[fa:دریاچه میشیگان]] |
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[[fr:Lac Michigan]] |
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[[gl:Lago Michigan]] |
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[[ko:미시간 호]] |
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[[hi:मिशिगन झील]] |
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[[hr:Jezero Michigan]] |
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[[io:Lago Michigan]] |
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[[id:Danau Michigan]] |
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[[is:Michiganvatn]] |
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[[it:Lago Michigan]] |
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[[he:ימת מישיגן]] |
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[[la:Michiganus Lacus]] |
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[[lv:Mičigans]] |
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[[lt:Mičigano ežeras]] |
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[[hu:Michigan-tó]] |
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[[mk:Мичиген (езеро)]] |
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[[nl:Michiganmeer]] |
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[[ja:ミシガン湖]] |
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[[no:Michigansjøen]] |
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[[nn:Michigansjøen]] |
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[[pl:Michigan (jezioro)]] |
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[[pt:Lago Michigan]] |
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[[qu:Michigan qucha]] |
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[[ru:Мичиган (озеро)]] |
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[[simple:Lake Michigan]] |
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[[sk:Michiganské jazero]] |
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[[sr:Мичиген (језеро)]] |
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[[fi:Michiganjärvi]] |
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[[sv:Michigansjön]] |
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[[vi:Hồ Michigan]] |
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[[tr:Michigan Gölü]] |
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[[uk:Мічиган (озеро)]] |
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[[zh:密歇根湖]] |
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Revision as of 13:22, 23 April 2008
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