Vermont is rural in every sense of the term. There are a few cities/towns, but the biggest one is Burlington, which has 45,000 residents. Vermont is incredibly rural since so many people relocate there particularly for solitude and to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. Burlington has a lower cost of living than most other cities in the state and the average for the entire country. Burlington Houses for Sale are at a lower cost than most other cities in the state and the average for the entire country. Lake Champlain is one of Vermont’s outstanding features. Here are 5 interesting facts about Lake Champlain.
- Islands
Over 80 islands can be found in Lake Champlain. Some of these islands are nothing more than a sizable rock protruding into the lake, while others are sizable enough to house whole villages. There are islands that are privately held and have seasonal habitations, islands that are publicly owned and are natural preserves, and year-round communities of “Islanders.”
- History
Samuel de Champlain, a French adventurer, gave Lake Champlain its name in 1609. The lake was a valuable resource during the Revolutionary War for facilitating travel between the colonies and Canada and maintaining the cohesiveness and strength of New England. It turned out to be crucial for manufacturing ships in the military once more during the War of 1812, especially in Vergennes. After World War II, the lake began to attract a lot of tourists and people looking for recreational opportunities. It now serves as a crucial economic driver for the nearby villages.
- Birds
In Vermont, 318 different bird species are dependent upon, live around, or live on Lake Champlain. The Common Tern is of particular relevance because of the Lake Champlain Land Trust’s early accomplishment in preserving its habitat for this daredevil bird. Only 50 Common Tern nesting pairs were counted in 1988; by working with our partners to maintain significant nesting islands and inform the public, that number increased to 275 pairs in 2013. The Lake Champlain Land Trust now protects a number of islands where the Common Tern breeds.
- Ice Age
Vermont was blanketed in glaciers at the height of the Ice Age. The Atlantic Ocean was able to construct an inlet into what is now New England and Eastern Canada thanks to the Atlantic Ocean’s ability to crush the rocks as it receded. Although it is known as the Champlain Sea, this inlet was primarily made up of fresh water since it was regularly supplied with water from glacial runoff. The present-day Lake Champlain was created as the land began to rise once more and the sea steadily shrank. This data is sourced in part from the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
- Dinosaurs
Many people have reported seeing Champ, a mythical creature resembling the Loch Ness Monster, while enjoying the lake. Champ may be a plesiosaur, a dinosaur, a whale, or it may not even exist at all. Regardless, searching for Champ on one of our protected lakeside properties is a fun way to spend the afternoon.