Lovingly nicknamed the "Ocean of the Midwest", Lake Superior is by far the largest of North America's five Great Lakes. The Ojibwe Indians called the lake Gitchigami meaning "big water." Lake Superior's presence mainly contributed to Northern Minnesota's emergence, as timber, precious metals, and furs could be distributed all over North America from strategic ports throughout the Lake.
Lake Superior's beauty masks a dangerous past. Lake Superior has been known for towering waves and violent seas that have sunk numerous ships including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald. Lake Superior lives up to its name as an awe inspiring presence and important link to Minnesota's past, present and future.