Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island is the world's largest freshwater lake island, with an area of 2,766 square kilometres (1068 square miles). Part of Ontario, Canada, the island separates the larger part of Lake Huron to its south and west from Georgian Bay to its east. Manitoulin Island itself has 108 freshwater lakes, some of which have their own islands. Lake Manitou is the largest lake in a freshwater island in the world. The island has three rivers, the Kagawong, Manitou, and Mindemoya Rivers, which provide spawning grounds for Atlantic Salmon and trout.

Related Topics:
Square kilometre - Square mile - Ontario - Canada - Lake Huron - Georgian Bay - Lake Manitou - Kagawong - Manitou - Mindemoya River - Spawning - Atlantic Salmon - Trout

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are 18 towns on Manitoulin, which include six Ojibwa reserves. During the summer months the population on the island grows by more than a quarter of its usual size due to the popularity of boating and other activities offered to tourists. The island constitutes the Manitoulin District census division of Ontario.

Related Topics:
Ojibwa - Reserves - Manitoulin District - Census division

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The island is physiographically part of Southern Ontario, an "eastward extension of the Interior Plains, a region characterized by low relief and sedimentary underpinnings". It consists mainly of dolomite. It is a continuation of the Bruce Peninsula and Niagara Escarpment, a geological structure running south into Niagara Falls and continuing into New York. The Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail, which climbs the escarpment, provides a spectacular lookout over the island.

Related Topics:
Southern Ontario - Dolomite - Bruce Peninsula - Niagara Escarpment - Niagara Falls - New York - Escarpment

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Year-round motor vehicle access to the island is via a one lane swing bridge that crosses the North Channel at Little Current. From late spring to early October, a daily passenger-vehicle ferry, the Chi-Cheemaun, travels between Tobermory on the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.

Related Topics:
Little Current - Chi-Cheemaun - Tobermory - Bruce Peninsula - South Baymouth

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Manitoulin Island's soil is relatively alkaline, which precludes the growth of common Northern Ontario flora like blueberries, and allows for the island's trademark hawberries. These berries are so distinctive that those born on the island are referred to as Haweaters. Each year on the August long weekend, the island hosts the Haweater Festival. The festival is a large tourist draw and includes parades, firework shows, craft shows, and rural competitions such as horse pulls.

Related Topics:
Alkaline - Northern Ontario - Blueberries - Hawberries - Haweaters - Long weekend - Haweater Festival - Parades - Firework shows - Craft shows - Rural - Horse pulls

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The island is also home to the Mounted Animal Nature Trail, made famous by Canadian humor band Arrogant Worms.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~