THE GREAT LAKES 2

Their affects:
Due to the fact that the lakes occupy a large area, they have a great influence on their surroundings. This effect can be clearly noticeable on weather, which is referred to as the lake effect. Due to this effect, in winter, the moisture is picked up by the prevailing winds from the west which can produce very heavy snowfall. This effect is especially sensed along the lakeshores in the east such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario, and New York. It is not uncommon for heavy snow to occur while the sky is completely clear because of this phenomenon. The lakes also moderate seasonal temperatures somewhat by absorbing heat and cooling the air in the summer. After that, the lakes slowly radiate this accumulating heat during the autumn. This temperature buffering produces ideal areas for fruit growing, especially in the south, which gave these areas their name as the "fruit belts". Furthermore, the area on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan has become a home to many North America’s fine wineries.


Economy:
Both Canada and the United States relay heavily on the Great Lakes for generating energy, for fresh and drinking water, and for their industry and economy. The fishing industry in the lakes alone generates over four billion U.S dollars a year, which includes Sport fishing, commercial fishing, and Native American fishing. Since ancient times, the lakes and their connective and branching rivers were the only practical means of moving people and goods. Later, the main business of many of the passenger liners in the 1800s was the transporting of immigrants. Today, the Great Lakes remain a main traveling route, and it is extensively used for regional transport. However, one of the reasons that helped the lakes to be accessible is the great lakes waterway, also known as the great lakes St-Laurent system.