Lake Garda

*Lago di Garda*
Lake Garda
Lago di Garda; Lake Garda
	Nago-Torbole and the northern part of the lake
Location	Northern Italy
Coordinates	45°38′N 10°40′E / 45.633°N 10.667°ECoordinates: 45°38′N 10°40′E / 45.633°N 10.667°E
Primary inflows	Sarca
Primary outflows	Mincio
Catchment area	2,350 km²
Basin countries	Italy
Max. length	51.9 km
Max. width	16.7 km
Surface area	369.98 km²
Average depth	136 m
Max. depth	346 m
Water volume	50.35 km³
Residence time	26.8 years
Surface elevation	65 m
Islands	5 (Isola del Garda, Isola San Biagio)
Settlements	see article

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Lake Garda (Italian: Lago di Garda or Benaco) is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last Ice Age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the southeast), Brescia (southwest), and Trentino (north). Being easily accessible from the north via the Brenner Pass, the lake is a major tourist destination, including a number of exclusive hotels and resorts along its shore.

[edit] Geography

The northern part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by mountains, the majority of which belong to the Gruppo del Baldo. The shape is typical of a moraine valley, probably having been formed under the action of a Paleolithic glacier. Although traces of the glacier's actions are evident today, in more recent years it has been hypothesized that the glacier occupied a previously existing depression, created by stream erosion 5 to 6 million years ago.

The lake has numerous small islands and five main ones, the largest being Isola del Garda. Nearby to the south is Isola San Biagio, also known as the Isola dei Conigli ("Island of the Rabbits"). Both are offshore of San Felice del Benaco, on the west side. The three other main islands are Isola dell'Olivo, Isola di Sogno, and Isola di Trimelone, all further north near the east side. The main tributary is the Sarca River, while the only emissary is the Mincio River.

[edit] Towns and villages on the lake

The ancient fortified town of Sirmione, located on the south of the lake, is one particularly popular destination, home to the Virgilio & Catullo Spa Complexes, as well as numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, fashion stores and a market. The picturesque Scaliger castle dates from the 13th century. The Roman poet Catullus had a villa here, and visitors can see a ruined Roman spa named the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus) although there is no evidence linking him to this particular building. The sulfur springs at the tip of the peninsula have a reputation for the healing of catarrhal conditions, particularly those involving the ear. Nearby, there is Gardaland, one of the most famous theme parks in Italy.

Lake Garda from space.

The Communes of Lake Garda
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol	Veneto	Lombardy
Trentino (clockwise: west to east)	Province of Verona (clockwise: north to south)	Province of Brescia (clockwise: south to north)
Riva del Garda Nago-Torbole	Malcesine Brenzone Torri del Benaco Garda Bardolino Lazise Castelnuovo del Garda Peschiera del Garda	Sirmione Desenzano del Garda Lonato Padenghe sul Garda Moniga del Garda Manerba del Garda San Felice del Benaco Salò Gardone Riviera Toscolano-Maderno Gargnano Tignale Tremosine Limone sul Garda

View from Torbole over the water.

[edit] See also

Battle of Lake Benacus, in which Roman forces defeated the Alamanni on the shores of Lake Garda, in the year 268.
Battle of Rivoli, in 1797 during the French campaign of Napoleon I in Italy against Austria.
Battle of Solferino in 1859, during the Italian Risorgimento. The terrible aftermath of this battle led to the Geneva Convention and the formation of the Red Cross.
Benito Mussolini established the capital of his rump Italian Social Republic in 1943 in a villa in the town of Salò on its shores. It served as a nexus for military operations and communications for German troops during World War II.