Lake Como Size report
Lago Como (Lago Lario) is a glacial lake in the Italian Alps and the most famous tourist destination in Italy. It is under the jurisdiction of Lombardy and is the third-largest lake in Italy. It takes about an hour's drive from Milan, the center of a pleasant day trip to Lake Como for many tourists.
Napoleon had a soft spot for this place. Villas with great historical and artistic value by the lake are the most attractive. Many celebrities are proud of owning a villa on the shore of Lake Como, such as actor George Clooney, a three-time Oscar-winning actor, and sportsman David Beckham have private villas here.
The beauty and location of the lake have made it extremely popular with tourists and residents, and it has been used to film movie scenes. Both locals and visitors from all over the world come to stay in some of these exquisite villas or walk along the waterfront paths.
Lake Como Introduction
Lake Como is a world-famous scenic leisure resort. It is located in a basin at the southern foot of the Alps, 50 kilometers northeast of Milan. It is surrounded and divided by several mountains. It lies at an elevation of 199 meters (653 feet) in a depression surrounded by limestone and granite mountains that reach an elevation of about 600 meters (2,000 feet ) in the south and more than 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) in the northeast. The overall Y-shaped lake is long and narrow; one stretches southwestward to the city of Como, the other southeastward beyond Lecco, with Bellagio Promontory marking the bifurcation. Its characteristic Y-shape results from the melting of glaciers combined with the erosive action of the ancient Adda river.
Lake Como is known for its climate and lush vegetation resources, a warm, humid climate that promotes lush plant growth. There are many gorgeous villas and parks built by the lake, and the small towns along the lake are also resorts, such as Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, and Varenna. Steamer services connect several towns. The lake is accessible by steamer, and if you want to take a day trip, no trip to the lake is complete without a steamer.
Lake Como Size
Lake Como is about 47 km (29 miles) between the longest points and up to 4 km (2.5 miles) wide, with a surface area of 146 square km (56 square miles) and a maximum depth of 425 meters (1,394 feet), which make it one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Its shoreline measures about 160 km (99 miles) long.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 199 m (653 ft) |
| Max. length | 47 km (29 mi) |
| Max. width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 146 sq km (56 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 425 m (1,394 ft) |
| Shoreline | 160 km (99 mi) |
Hydrology
Lake Como has three tributaries of equal length (about 25 km); one runs north through Colico, one runs southwest to the city of Como, and the other runs southeast to Lecco. Its catchment area is about 4,509 sq km (1,741 sq mi). It is traversed by the Adda River and receives many other rivers and mountain streams. The lake is often flooded during summer because most rainfall occurs in May, and precipitation is at its lowest during winter. The weather around Lake Como is mild. Water also maintains higher temperatures here during the winter. Average temperatures are the lowest in January, 2°C (36 °F), and highest in July, 30 °C (86 °F).
Natural Resources
Luxuriant lakeshore vegetation includes vines, figs, pomegranate, olive, chestnut, and oleander trees. A wide variety of Mediterranean plants: cypresses, laurels, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias, and cacti; southern ferns, conifers such as cedars, and orange trees flourish along the lakeshore. Also, many tropical and subtropical plants grow in other protected wetlands. The lake is also inhabited by at least 26 species, including Pike, Zander, Perch, Carp, Whitefish, Lake Trout, etc., but pollution has greatly reduced the fish population.
Final Words
The lake has been a well-known retreat for wealthy people since Roman times. Boasting an impressive number of artistic and cultural hallmarks, it’s no wonder the lake is a popular tourist attraction. It is also rich in wildlife and spas. The most popular activities on the lake are windsurfing, sailing, and kitesurfing. There are many sailing schools and clubs along the shores of the lake; during the sailing season, many international sailing competitions are held here, especially in Lecco.
