The historical significance of the Great Lakes region stretches from thousands of years ago to the present day. Home to factories, important historical landmarks, and miles of coastline, the Great Lakes region is steeped in the past, but looking ahead to the future. Readers follow the growth of the Great Lakes, beginning with early battles to settle and control the region. Sidebars add to the main content’s discussion of significant events, while readers travel through the area’s past with the help of photographs and historical images. Colorful maps of the region show readers where history happened and introduce the region’s major rivers, states, and landforms.