The Great Lakes are a system of five interconnected freshwater lakes located in North America, consisting of Lake Erie, Lake Eries, Lake SUPERIOR, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Lake Ontario is also sometimes included as part of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five, with an area of 9, 910 square miles. Lake Eries is a smaller lake located in the same region as Lake Erie. Lake SUPERIOR is the largest of the five Great Lakes, with an area of 31, 700 square miles. Lake Huron is the second largest of the five Great Lakes, with an area of 23, 000 square miles. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the five Great Lakes, with an area of 22, 300 square miles. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes, with an area of 7, 340 square miles. All five of these Great Lakes are important sources of freshwater for the surrounding areas, and are home to a variety of wildlife.