Lake Michigan is renowned as one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the only lake that lies entirely within the United States, bounded by the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Lake Michigan is colloquially known as "The Big Lake," as it is the third largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, covering an area of over 22,400 square miles. It is also referred to as "The Sweetwater Sea" for its crystal-clear waters and freshwater content. Other examples of synonyms for Lake Michigan include "The Michigan Sea," "The Lake of the Woods," and "The Lake of the Sweet Water".