It borders Ontario in Canada, and Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan in the United States of America. It is an important shipment route for iron ore and is part of the Great Lakes Waterway.

The lake is fed by over 200 rivers. The largest include the Nipigon River, the St Louis River, the Pigeon River, the Pic River, the White River, the Michipicoten River and the Kaministiquia River. Lake Superior drains into Lake Huron by the St. Mary's River. The rapids on the river necessitate the Sault locks (pronounced "soo"), a part of the Great Lakes Waterway, to move boats over the 25 foot height difference from Lake Huron.

Important towns on Lake Superior include Duluth, Minnesota, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Marquette, Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The lake was named Lac Supérieur by French explorers because it was the highest in elevation of all the Great Lakes. The land surrounding the lake in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan has proved to be rich for mining. Commercial concerns have mined copper, iron, silver, gold and nickel. Many towns are either current or former mining areas, or engaged in processing or shipment. The sparsely populated Lake Superior country with its rugged shorelines and wilderness attract tourists and adventurers, making tourism a large modern industry.

The largest island in Lake Superior is Isle Royale.

The Anishinabe were primarily located around the Great Lakes region.