Lake Como, Glacial lake in Lombardy, Italy
Lake Como is a glacial lake in Lombardy whose two arms, branching at Bellagio, form an inverted Y between steep mountain slopes. The Adda River enters at Colico and leaves at Lecco, and the lake reaches its maximum depth of 425 metres off Nesso. Its only island is the 7.5-hectare Isola Comacina.
Travelers and merchants used the lake basin as a route between the Mediterranean and the Alpine passes to the north in ancient times. During the 18th and 19th centuries new estates appeared along the shores for wealthy families attracted by the mild climate.
The Italian name Lario appears in old texts and refers to the ancient settlement of Comum, which later became Como. Today, villas with gardens mark the shore, connected by waterways and shaping the character of the region.
Boats run between the towns along the shore and allow visitors to reach several points in a single day. The best views often come from the water, where the shoreline landscape and surrounding mountains are easy to see.
Warm air currents from the south meet cool mountain air and create sudden winds that sailors and fishermen have known for centuries. In some shore areas lemon and olive trees grow that are normally found further south.
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