Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes and is the easternmost lake of the group. To the north, the lake is bordered by the Canadian province of Ontario. To the south lies the state of New York. The name Ontario is a Wyandot word from the Native American Huron tribe that means "Lake of Shining Waters". As civilization formed around the northern banks of the lake, it eventually pushed north forming what is now known as the province of Ontario. The province is actually named after the lake, not vice versa.

One interesting feature is that the lake exhibits a seiche ("slosh" in slang). This is a vertical pulsation of the water that occurs at a very low frequency, one cycle per 11 minutes, and at a very low amplitude. The water only rises and falls three quarters of an inch, but this effect can be exaggerated to a visible level by many large scale natural occurrences.

Many legends and folklore have passed from the area across cities and states. One legend is that a big lake monster, like that of the Loch Ness Monster, has been sighted in the water. It is described as having green skin, and a long neck that cranes up through the surface during alleged sightings.

Lake Ontario is undoubtedly home to many tourist attractions, beautiful natural sights, and some unique natural formations. Caves, sporting mineral deposits and deep cavernous areas for casual exploration, overlook Lake Ontario. There are also countless beaches surrounding the area that bring hundreds of thousands of merry beach goers out to soak up the sun.

What's strange about Lake Ontario is that its massive volume of water buffers the surrounding areas against temperature change. This gives the surrounding areas a consistent maritime, oceanic climate. Hence, many of the beaches feel like the sandy, eastern coasts of the United States. This is part of the reason the Great Lakes are thought of as America's "third coast".

Over 9 million Canadians, a quarter of the country's population lives within reach of Lake Ontario's watershed. Canadian cities that touch Lake Ontario include Toronto, Burlington, Grimsby, Belleville, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering, and 11 other cities. The coastal area touching the United States, by contrast, is mostly rural, save Syracuse and Rochester, New York.

There is also land within Lake Ontario as well. Amherst Island, Waupoos Island, Big Island, Toronto Islands, Galloo Island and several other islands are all completely bordered by the lake's waters. The Thousand Islands Archipelago, located within the lake, contains islands that support small towns, islands that contain single residences, and even islands that support just enough space for a few trees. On one of the islands, a dressing was served on a salad to dinner guests who gave the recipe to two hotel magnates and actress May Irwin. This eventually gave rise to the popular Thousand Island Dressing.