Where is Lake Como located?
Lake Como is one of the major lakes in Europe. It is located in the northern portion of Italy, due north of Milan near the border of Switzerland. The lake originates in Lombardy, Italy, and was formed during a period of glaciation. As the ice swept into the area thousands of years ago, it carved deep notches into the land. As it retreated and melted, those notches filled with water and formed Lake Como.
How deep is Lake Como?
Lake Como is over 1,300 feet deep. The formation of Lake Como has a lot to do with its depth. With a depth of around 1,300 feet, it is listed as the fifth deepest lake in Europe and the deepest lake outside of Norway, a region known for its massive mjøs, inland Fjords, and deep waterways. Like most of the lakes in Norway, Lake Como was formed by the expansion and later retreat of a massive sheet of ice. The four other lakes in Europe that are deeper than Lake Como (all of which are found in Norway) include Hornindalsvatnet (1,686 feet), Salvatnet (1,581 feet), Lake Tinn (1,509 feet), and Mjøsa (1,456 feet).
How big is Lake Como?
Lake Como has a surface area of 56 square miles. Despite being one of the deepest, Lake Como isn’t one of the largest. In fact, the lake measures as only the third largest lake in Italy, behind Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Lake Como is known for its inverted “Y” shape, with the long part of the Y starting in the north and the two forks separating in the south. The region between the two forks of the lake is known as the Lake Como Triangle Community and the Larian Triangle.
What is Lake Como known for?
Lake Como is often regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Ringed by the Alps, the blue lake has a humid and subtropical microclimate, a rare feature near the mountains. The beautiful region and unique climate have solidified Lake Como as a prime destination for people since the Roman Empire. Immaculate villas, stunning resorts, and local farms dot the region around the lake, making it a tourist destination for locals and international travelers alike. In fact, Pliny the Younger, a famous Roman author, built two resorts, the Comedia and the Tragedia, along its shores nearly 2000 years ago. Although the buildings are no longer there, other resorts have taken their place around the waters.
What major cities and towns are located around Lake Como?
Although Lake Como isn’t as famous as Rome or Milan, there are still some important towns and cities in the surrounding area. The most northern branch of the lake begins at the town of Colico, while the most southern towns on the southern arms of the lake are Como and Lecco. Como is known as the main town of the region and is the largest by population. The city of Como is also home to a lot of Renaissance architecture, making it a popular tourist and resort destination.