Manitoulin Island, often referred to as the “Jewel of the Great Lakes” is the world’s largest freshwater island.  With an area of 2,766 square kilometres (1,068 square miles), it is the 174^th largest island in the world and Canada’s 31^st largest island. 

Situated in the northern part of Lake Huron, it is surrounded by the North Channel on the northern shore, Georgian Bay on the eastern shore and Lake Huron on the southern and western shores.  Manitoulin Island is approximately 160 km (100 miles) long and ranges from 4.8 to 70.4 km (3 to 45 miles) in width.  The Island has 108+ freshwater lakes.  Lake Manitou (about 104 square kilometres or 44 square miles) is the largest lake in a freshwater island in the world.

The Island has two incorporated towns (Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands and Gore Bay); eight townships (Assiginack, Billings, Burpee and Mills, Central Manitoulin, Dawson, Gordon, Robinson and Tehkummah; and six First Nations Reserves (M’Chigeeng, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Wikwemikong and Zhiibaahaasing).   Manitoulin Island has a year-round population of approximately 12,600 residents.

Click here to visit a satellite image of Manitoulin Island.