Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano
Lago di Lugano
Lagh de Lugan (Lombard)
Satellite image of Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano is located in Canton of Ticino
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano is located in Lombardy
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano is located in Switzerland
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano is located in Italy
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano is located in Alps
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
Map of the lake
LocationTicino, Lombardy
Coordinates45°59′N 8°58′E / 45.983°N 8.967°E / 45.983; 8.967
Primary inflowsVedeggio, Cassarate, Cuccio, Mara, Laveggio, Magliasina, Bolletta, Scairolo
Primary outflowsTresa
Catchment area565.6 km2 (218.4 sq mi)
Basin countriesSwitzerland, Italy
Surface area48.7 km2 (18.8 sq mi)
Average depth134 m (440 ft)
Max. depth288 m (945 ft)
Water volume6.5 km3 (1.6 cu mi)
Residence time8.2 years
Surface elevation271 m (889 ft)
Sections/sub-basinsNorth basin, South basin, Ponte Tresa
SettlementsLugano, Melide, Campione d'Italia, Ponte Tresa
Map

Lake Lugano (Italian: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio, from Latin: Ceresius lacus; Lombard: Lagh de Lugan) is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between southern Switzerland and northern Italy. The lake, named after the city of Lugano, is situated between Lake Como and Lago Maggiore. It was cited for the first time by Gregory of Tours in 590 with the name Ceresio,[1] a name which is said to have derived from the Latin word cerasus, meaning cherry, and refers to the abundance of cherry trees which at one time adorned the shores of the lake.[2] The lake appears in documents in 804 under the name Laco Luanasco.[1]

Lake Lugano

There are various mountains and tourist destinations on the shores of the lake including Monte Brè to the east, Monte San Salvatore west of Lugano, and Monte Generoso on the south-eastern shore. The World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio is situated south of the lake. Also located to the south is the Cinque Vette Park.

The lake is drained by the Tresa, which empties into Lake Maggiore, the latter being drained by the Ticino and the Po.

  1. ^ a b "Lake Lugano". Historic Dictionary of Switzerland (in Italian). Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  2. ^ "Itinerari - Il Lago dei Ciliegi". Il Gommone (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2008-11-22.