The Thous and Is lands are a

chain of is lands that s traddle

the U.S-Canada border in the

Saint Lawrence River as it

emerges from the northeas t

corner of Lake Ontario. The

is lands s tretch for about 50 mi

(80 km) downs tream

from Kings ton, Ontario

Canadian is lands are in the province of Ontario. The U.S. is lands are in the s tate of New York. The is lands , which number 1,865 in all, range in s ize from over 100 km² (40 s q mi) to s maller is lands occupied by a s ingle res idence , to even s maller uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are home to migratory waterfowl.

The number of islands was determined using the criteria that any island must be above water level for 365 days per year, bigger than one square foot (roughly 900 cm²), and support at least one tree or shrub. The area is very popular among vacationers, campers, and boaters, and is often referred to as the 'fresh water boating capital of the world.'