What is the classification of the Great Lakes in terms of water bodies?

The Great Lakes are classified as inland water bodies because they are located entirely within the landmass of North America, without direct connection to the ocean. They represent a significant, enclosed collection of freshwater lakes that are not influenced by tidal actions or the dynamics of coastal regions. The inland classification emphasizes their separation from the ocean and highlights their role in freshwater ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and regional climate moderation.

While coastal water bodies are near the shorelines of seas and oceans, the Great Lakes are situated far from any ocean, making them distinctly inland. They are also not artificial, as they are naturally occurring geological formations filled with freshwater, and do not fit the definition of open sea, which typically refers to large expanses of oceanic water that are not confined by land.