LAKE GARDA

'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 Trentino region (north). The lake is a major tourist destination, with a number of hotels and resorts along its shore.

Contents

Formation and overview

Localities and sights

See also

Image gallery

External links

Formation and overview

The northern part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by mountains, the major of which belong to the Gruppo del Baldo. The shape is that typical of a moraine valley, probably having been formed under the action of a Paleolithic glacier. Although traces of the glacier action are evident today, in more recent years it has been hypothesized that the glacier occupied an already existing depression, created by stream erosion from 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 ''Salmo carpio'', a species of salmon living exclusively in the Garda. Others species present are:

★ Bleak

★ Brown trout

★ Chub

★ Common carp

★ Common whitefish

★ Eel

★ ''Lota lota'', a specie of Gadidae

★ 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 villa was home to the poet Catullus. The sulphur 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.

The Communes of Lake Garda

Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol	Veneto	Lombardy
Province of Trento (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

See also

★ Battle of Lake Benacus, in which Roman forces defeated the Alamanni on the shores of Lake Garda, in 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.

Image gallery

External links

★ Ferry Services on Italian Lakes - Lake Garda

★ Lake Garda Travel Guide

★ Rock climbing topo - guide)

★ Webcams Lake Garda Selection of webcams near Lake Garda

★ Lake Garda webcams Webcams, weather forecasts and Weekly markets at Lake Garda

★ Mondophoto.net 250+ photos from Sirmione and Lake Garda

★ Tremosine sul Garda

★ The magazine of Lake Garda

★ A complete guide to Lake Garda With over 300 photos from all round the lake

★ Tutto quello che vuoi sapere sul Lago di Garda

★ The virgin olive oil of Lake Garda The origin area determinates the quality of the olive oil...