Lake Como, also known as Lake Como (Italian: Lago di Como), is a fjord-shaped lake in northern Italy in the Alps, which forks southwards in a „Y“ shape (Lago di Lecco). It covers an area of 146 km² and with a maximum depth of 410 m it is one of the deepest in Europe. It lies at an altitude of 198 m. It´s located in the provinces of Como and Lecco in Lombardy. It is the third largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda and Lago Maggiore. It is rich in fish. Since (according to various sources) the surface elevation is 197-198 m and the greatest depth is 410-425 m, the lake is a cryptodepression (bottom below sea level).
Its banks are mostly steep and rocky. On its eastern and north-western sides it is enclosed by the relatively high mountain massifs of the Alps (Monte Legnone, 2 609 m). It lies where the Addis glacier used to move and splits in two at Alta Brianza. Lake starts in the north at Colico and ends in the south with the south-western arm at Como and the south-eastern arm at Lecco. The length of the shores is approximately 160 km. The Adda River (left tributary of the Po River) flows through Lake Como. It enters the lake at Colico and leaves it at Lecco. No significant tributary flows into the south-western arm. The second most important tributary is the Mero River, flowing from Lago di Mezzola.
Thanks to the mild climate, the surrounding area is rich in vegetation. Lake Como is a popular tourist destination with many spa resorts and parks. The lake has a well-developed fishing industry (trout, whitefish, carp) and local shipping. There is a boat connection between Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio.
