Manitoulin Islands

views updated

Manitoulin Islands (mănətōō´lĬn), archipelago consisting of three large islands and several smaller ones, in N Lake Huron, NW of Georgian Bay. The islands, in a noted fishing region, are popular resorts. The permanent population is mainly Native American. Dairying, lumbering, mixed farming, and tourism are the major activities. Manitoulin, c.80 mi (130 km) long and from 2 to 30 mi (3.2–48 km) wide, is the world's largest lake island. It encloses more than 100 lakes and has a much-indented, rugged coast. Cockburn Island and Drummond Island are also rocky and forested. Drummond Island is in Michigan, and the others of the group to Ontario, Canada.