Eight U.S. States Bordering the Great Lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

The five Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario—form the world's largest freshwater system by surface area (244,000 km²). Eight U.S. states share shoreline:

• Illinois: Lake Michigan (63 mi shoreline).
• Indiana: Lake Michigan (45 mi).
• Michigan: Four lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie) – 3,288 mi (most of any state).
• Minnesota: Lake Superior (189 mi).
• New York: Lakes Erie & Ontario (343 mi).
• Ohio: Lake Erie (312 mi).
• Pennsylvania: Lake Erie (51 mi).
• Wisconsin: Lakes Superior & Michigan (820 mi).

Plus Ontario, Canada borders all five. The Great Lakes Compact (2008) governs water diversions. These states form the "Great Lakes Megalopolis"—economic engine of 60M people, $6T GDP.