Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore (UK: /mæˈdʒɔːreɪ, ˌmædʒiˈɔːreɪ/, US: /mɑːˈdʒɔːreɪ, məˈdʒɔːri/; Italian: Lago Maggiore Italian pronunciation: [ˈlaːɡo madˈdʒoːre]; Western Lombard: Lagh Maggior; Piedmontese: Lagh Magior; literally 'greater lake') or Verbano (pronounced [verˈbaːno]; Latin: Lacus Verbanus) is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino. Located halfway between Lake Orta and Lake Lugano, Lake Maggiore extends for about 64 kilometres (40 miles) between Locarno and Arona.
| Lake Maggiore | |
|---|---|
View of Lake Maggiore towards the Alps and Monte Rosa from above Laveno | |
| Location | Lombardy and Piedmont, Italy Ticino, Switzerland |
| Coordinates | 46°05′53″N 08°42′53″E |
| Primary inflows | Ticino, Maggia, Toce, Tresa |
| Primary outflows | Ticino |
| Catchment area | 6,599 km2 (2,548 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Italy, Switzerland |
| Max. length | 64.37 km (40.00 mi) |
| Max. width | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 212.5 km2 (82.0 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 177.4 m (582 ft) |
| Max. depth | 372 m (1,220 ft) |
| Water volume | 37.7 km3 (9.0 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 4 years |
| Surface elevation | 193 m (633 ft) |
| Islands | Brissago Islands, Borromean Islands |
| Settlements | Arona, Locarno, Luino, Stresa, Verbania (see list) |
The climate is mild in both summer and winter, producing Mediterranean vegetation, with many gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Well-known gardens include those of the Borromean and Brissago Islands, that of the Villa Taranto in Verbania, and the Alpinia Botanical Garden above Stresa.
Lake Maggiore is drained by the river Ticino, a main tributary of the Po. Its basin also collects the waters of several large lakes, notably Lake Lugano (through the Tresa), Lake Orta (through the Toce) and Lake Varese (through the Bardello).