Lake Como

Lake Como
Lago di Como (Italian) Lagh de Comm (Lombard)
Panoramic view of Lake Como with the Alps and Bellagio
Lake Como
Location	Lombardy, Italy
Coordinates	46°00′N 9°16′E / 46.000°N 9.267°E / 46.000; 9.267
Primary inflows	Adda, Mera
Primary outflows	Adda
Catchment area	4,509 km2 (1,741 sq mi)[1]
Basin countries	Italy, Switzerland
Max. length	46 km (29 mi)
Max. width	4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Surface area	146 km2 (56 sq mi)
Average depth	154 m (505 ft)[1]
Max. depth	425 m (1,394 ft)
Water volume	22.5 km3 (18,200,000 acre⋅ft)
Residence time	5.5 years[1]
Shore length1	160 km (99 mi)
Surface elevation	198 m (650 ft)[1]
Islands	Isola Comacina
Settlements	Como, Lecco (see section)
References	[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Como (Italian: Lago di Como [ˈlaːɡo di ˈkɔːmo], locally [ˈkoːmo]; Western Lombard: Lagh de Còmm [ˈlɑː‿dːe ˈkɔm],^[a] Cómm [ˈkom] or Cùmm [ˈkum]), also known as Lario (Italian: [ˈlaːrjo]; after the Latin: Larius Lacus), is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy.

It has an area of 146 square kilometres (56 sq mi), making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over 400 metres (1,300 ft) deep, it is the fifth deepest lake in Europe and the deepest outside Norway; the bottom of the lake is 227 metres (745 ft) below sea level. One notable characteristic is its distinctive "Y" shape.

Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It has many villas and palaces such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta. Many famous people have owned homes on the shores of Lake Como, including George Clooney, Madonna, and Donatella Versace.

In 2014, The Huffington Post described it as the most beautiful lake in the world for its microclimate and environment with prestigious villas and villages.^[2]

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