Many people think of the skyline of glass buildings when they hear Chicago, but in fact, this city is more interesting because it is bordered by a massive freshwater sea. This is one of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan.

When tourists first see it, they are surprised and ask, "How is this a lake, isn't it the ocean?" Honestly, it's understandable. It's so large that you can see the horizon, and it has waves, making it just like an 'inland sea.' Chicagoans don't boast about their lake for no reason. Lake Michigan is a presence that influences Chicago's scenery and climate.

Let's start with the size. It is 494 km long and nearly 190 km wide. Its area is about 58,000 km², which is about half the size of South Korea. Even saying that might not give you a clear picture. Standing on a Chicago beach and looking at the horizon, you can't see the end. Only then do you realize, "Oh... it really is big." The color of the water also changes with the seasons; in summer, it is emerald, on clear days it is cobalt blue, and in winter, it turns a gloomy gray.

The presence of this lake is also evident in the climate. The reason Chicago is called the 'Windy City' is not just because the wind is strong, but because Lake Michigan creates a massive wind tunnel. In summer, the lake breeze cools things down a bit, making you think, "This isn't so bad," but in winter, it brings in biting cold winds.

Lake effect snow that comes with blizzards tests the mental fortitude of Chicago residents. When you hear news like "Hundreds of flights canceled at Chicago airport," it's mostly due to the lake. In short, it's something to be grateful for in summer and resentful in winter.

So even in summer, the water temperature is surprisingly cold. You often see tourists jumping in thinking it's refreshing in June, only to jump right back out.

That's why locals joke, "It takes until August for the water to be bearable." Thanks to this, the air blowing from the lakeside during summer walks is truly refreshing. Air conditioning? Not needed. Natural breezes are better. Of course, it's nice to save on the electric bill.

The ecosystem is also quite rich. Species like salmon, trout, and walleye inhabit the area, and if you go to the breakwater at dawn, you'll see people lined up fishing. While the city moves quickly, a strange sense of leisure flows by the lakeside. When the fog rises over the building silhouettes at sunrise, you really feel that this city coexists with nature.

Of course, in winter, the atmosphere changes 180 degrees. Parts of the lake freeze, and the wind chills you to the bone, creating ice sculptures on benches and trees that have been hit by waves. It's too cold to call it beautiful, yet it's too beautiful to complain about the cold.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Lake Michigan is Chicago itself. Without it, Chicago would just be a windy and cold city. But thanks to this lake, you can enjoy ocean-like scenery in summer and experience harsh nature for free in winter.

Like it or not, Chicagoans live their lives alongside this lake.