Great Slave Lake

　　Great Slave Lake is situated in northwestern Canada, in the southern part of the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, close to the northern boundary of Alberta. It is the second largest lake in Canada, covering an area of 28,600 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of 614 meters and a water volume of 2.088 trillion cubic meters. The lake receives water from the Slave River and drains into the Mackenzie River. It has a long ice-cover period.

　　Great Slave Lake is located in the southern part of the South Slave Region in northwestern Canada. Its name originates from the Indigenous tribes that once lived along its shores. These tribes were driven northward by the Cree, another Indigenous group, who referred to them as “slaves.” The formation of Great Slave Lake is closely related to Quaternary glacial activity. While most lakes in the region, with the exception of Winnipeg Lake and nearby Manitoba lakes which are remnants of ice-margin lakes, are associated with glacial erosion or glacial deposits, glacial erosion plays the dominant role—most of the lakes, including Great Slave Lake, are primarily the result of glacial scouring.

　　The shoreline of Great Slave Lake is irregular and indented with numerous large bays. The lake water is deep and clear. The area has a thriving fishing industry, producing species such as whitefish and lake trout. The region also contains mineral resources including lead, zinc, and gold. Pine Point on the southern shore is a center for lead and zinc mining, while Yellowknife on the northeastern shore is a hub for gold mining and the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

　　Great Slave Lake Reason to visit: One of the largest lakes in Canada Continent where the attraction is located: North America 【North America】 Country/Region where the attraction is located: Canada [Canada] Province/State where the attraction is located: Northwest Territories [Northwest Territories]