Lake Geneva: Difference between revisions
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It is a glacial lake, formed by a withdrawing glacier. It is a large crescent shape of (occasionally) blue water, it is 73 [[kilometre|km]] (45 [[mile|mi]]) long, at its widest it is 14 km (8.7 mi) and its maximum depth is 310 [[metre|m]] (170 [[fathom]]s). It lies approximately at {{coor dm|46|26|N|6|33|E}}. It covers approximately 582 [[square kilometre|km²]] (225 [[square mile|mi²]]) of total area. The volume of water is estimated at 88.9 km³ (72.1 million [[acre feet]]) with a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of 7,975 km² (3,079 mi²). The crescent shape is narrowed around [[Yvoire]] on the southern shore, the lake can thus be divided into the "Grand Lac" to the east and the "Petit Lac" to the west. |
It is a glacial lake, formed by a withdrawing glacier. It is a large crescent shape of (occasionally) blue water, it is 73 [[kilometre|km]] (45 [[mile|mi]]) long, at its widest it is 14 km (8.7 mi) and its maximum depth is 310 [[metre|m]] (170 [[fathom]]s). It lies approximately at {{coor dm|46|26|N|6|33|E}}. It covers approximately 582 [[square kilometre|km²]] (225 [[square mile|mi²]]) of total area. The volume of water is estimated at 88.9 km³ (72.1 million [[acre feet]]) with a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of 7,975 km² (3,079 mi²). The crescent shape is narrowed around [[Yvoire]] on the southern shore, the lake can thus be divided into the "Grand Lac" to the east and the "Petit Lac" to the west. |
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[[image:Lake_Geneva_steamer_'Vever'_at_Evian,_France_1993.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Lake Geneva steamer ' |
[[image:Lake_Geneva_steamer_'Vever'_at_Evian,_France_1993.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Lake Geneva steamer 'Vever' at Evian, France 1993]] |
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It lies on the course of the [[Rhône River]]. The river has its source at the [[Rhone Glacier]] near the [[Grimsel Pass]] to the east of the lake and flows down through the Canton of [[Valais]], entering the lake between [[Villeneuve, Vaud|Villeneuve]] and [[St-Gingolph|St. Gingolph]], before flowing slowly towards its egress at [[Geneva]]. Other tributaries are the [[Drance]], [[L'Aubonne]], [[La Morges]], [[Venoge]], and [[Veveyse]]. |
It lies on the course of the [[Rhône River]]. The river has its source at the [[Rhone Glacier]] near the [[Grimsel Pass]] to the east of the lake and flows down through the Canton of [[Valais]], entering the lake between [[Villeneuve, Vaud|Villeneuve]] and [[St-Gingolph|St. Gingolph]], before flowing slowly towards its egress at [[Geneva]]. Other tributaries are the [[Drance]], [[L'Aubonne]], [[La Morges]], [[Venoge]], and [[Veveyse]]. |
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Revision as of 16:59, 8 May 2006
Lake Geneva - or Lake Léman, (French Lac Léman, le Léman, or Lac de Genève, German Genfer See) is the second largest freshwater lake in Central Europe (after Lake Balaton), divided as 40% France (Haute-Savoie) and 60% Switzerland (cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and Valais).
It is a glacial lake, formed by a withdrawing glacier. It is a large crescent shape of (occasionally) blue water, it is 73 km (45 mi) long, at its widest it is 14 km (8.7 mi) and its maximum depth is 310 m (170 fathoms). It lies approximately at 46°26′N 6°33′E / 46.433°N 6.550°E. It covers approximately 582 km² (225 mi²) of total area. The volume of water is estimated at 88.9 km³ (72.1 million acre feet) with a catchment area of 7,975 km² (3,079 mi²). The crescent shape is narrowed around Yvoire on the southern shore, the lake can thus be divided into the "Grand Lac" to the east and the "Petit Lac" to the west.
It lies on the course of the Rhône River. The river has its source at the Rhone Glacier near the Grimsel Pass to the east of the lake and flows down through the Canton of Valais, entering the lake between Villeneuve and St. Gingolph, before flowing slowly towards its egress at Geneva. Other tributaries are the Drance, L'Aubonne, La Morges, Venoge, and Veveyse.
By the 1960s, the lake had ceased being a transport artery for commercial and construction goods. In the late 1960s pollution made it dangerous to swim in the lake and by the 1980s intense environmental pollution had almost wiped out all the fish. Today, pollution levels have been dramatically cut back but it still remains a health hazard to swimmers. The main leisure activities are sailing, boating and rowing.
The shore between Geneva and Lausanne is called La Côte, and between Lausanne and Vevey it is called Lavaux.
Name
The first recorded name of the lake is Lacus Lemannus from Roman times; it became Lacus Lausonius, Lacus Losanetes and then the Lac de Lausanne in the Middle Ages. Following the rise of Geneva it became Lac de Genève (also translated into English as Lake Geneva). In the 18th century, Lac Léman was revived in French. It was formerly called Lac de Genève in Geneva and Lac Léman elsewhere but the customary name is now Lac Léman (or sometimes still Lake Geneva in English). Certain maps name the lake the Lac d'Ouchy (after the port located on the Lausanne lake shore).
A note on pronunciation (in IPA) —
- English: Lake Geneva /leɪk dʒə'ni:və/
- French: Lac Léman /lak le'mɑ̃/ or Lac de Genève /lak də ʒe'nɛv/
- German: Genfersee or Genfer See /'gɛnfərˌze:/
- Italian: Lago Lemano, Lago di Ginevra /'lago di dʒi'nevra/.
Cities and places
| Southern shore | Northern shore | |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Lac | ||
| Petit Lac | ||
- See also: List of lakes in Switzerland
