Final answer:
Lake Superior, the largest lake in the US by surface area, is bordered by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the Canadian province of Ontario. It is part of the Great Lakes system, which contains a significant proportion of the world's fresh water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lake Superior, known as the largest lake in the United States and the second largest lake in the world after the Caspian Sea, is bordered by several states. These states include Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan in the United States, as well as the province of Ontario in Canada. It is indeed a part of the Great Lakes system, which is critical because the Great Lakes hold approximately 21% of the world's surface fresh water. Lake Superior itself is renowned not just for its size but also for its clear and pristine waters, though like all water bodies, it faces threats such as water pollution and invasive species.
It's important to note that while Lake Superior is the largest by surface area in the US, Lake Baikal in Russia is considered the largest freshwater lake by volume. Additionally, the Great Lakes are a vital surface water resource, and efforts are being made to protect these bodies of water from invasive species like Asian carp and to maintain the quality of the ecosystem which includes famous fisheries for salmon and lake trout.