The ST Lawrence

The St Lawrence is the gateway to the north American continent. The river is fed by the waters of the Great Lakes, and with the building of the St Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s, ocean-going ships can now reach 3,750km inland, carrying cargoes for the industrial cities of Toronto, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. Canada and the United States share a border along part of the St Lawrence and through the Great Lakes, and because of its many natural resources, the region has become one of the most heavily industrialised of North America. The author discusses the history of the area and the many peoples that make up its population, and examines the importance of the St Lawrence and Great Lakes to industry and as a trade route. She also looks at the region’s wildlife and shows how the effects of pollution and overfishing have dramatically reduced their numbers.