Lake Garda

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Garda
Lago di Garda
image_lake = Riva del Garda.jpg
caption_lake = Riva del Garda
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Northern Italy
coords = coord|45|38|N|10|40|E|type:waterbody_region:IT|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Sarca
outflow = Mincio
catchment = 2,350 km²
basin_countries = Italy, Switzerland
length = 51.9 km
width = 16.7 km
area = 369.98 km²
depth = 136 m
max-depth = 346 m
volume = 50.35 km³
residence_time = 26.8 years
shore =
elevation = 65 m
islands = 5 (Isola del Garda, Isola San Biagio)
cities = "see article"

Lake Garda (Italian "Lago di Garda" or "Benaco") is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. It is in an alpine region and was formed by glaciers at the end of the last ice age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trento (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.

Formation and overview

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 an already existing depression, created by stream erosion 5 to 6 million years ago.

The lake has five islands, the largest being Isola del Garda. Nearby is Isola San Biagio, also known as the Isola dei Conigli ("Island of the Rabbits"). Both face San Felice del Benaco, on the Brescian side. The three smaller islands are Isola dell'Olivo, Isola di Sogno and Isola di Trimelone.

The main tributary is the Sarca river, while the only emissary is the Mincio River.

Wildlife include the "Trota del Garda" or "Carpiù" ("Salmo carpio"), a species of salmonid living exclusively in the Garda and in some Swiss alpine lakesFact|date=December 2007, usually caught in fine nets since it is a deep-water zooplankton eater (now [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/19856/all classified as Critically Endangered] ). Others species present are:
*Bleak
*Brown trout
*Chub
*Common carp
*Common whitefish
*Eel
*Burbot, "Lota lota", a species of Gadid fish
*Northern Pike
*Perch
*Tench

Localities and sights

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 parks in Italy.

ee also

*Battle of Lake Benacus, in which Roman forces defeated the Alamanni on the shores of Lake Garda, in the year 268.
*Battle of Solferino and San Martino 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 Musolini 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 Two.

Image gallery

External links

* [http://www.gardalake.com/ Lake Garda Tourism Guide] informations of the region, map, events.
* [http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/gar/nlg.html Ferry Services on Italian Lakes - Lake Garda] , together with general information on the lake and its settlements.
* [http://www.lake-garda-revealed.com A complete guide to Lake Garda] , with over 300 pictures from all around the lake.