Geography: Lakes

Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.

Italy shares Lake Maggiore with Switzerland.

Italy, a country celebrated for its rich cultural history and diverse landscapes ranging from the Alpine peaks to the Mediterranean coastlines, is home to numerous significant lakes, each with unique characteristics. Among these, Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, stands out for its stunning natural beauty and the charming towns that dot its shores. The following table provides an overview of Italy's major lakes, focusing on key aspects such as the lake's surface area, its elevation above sea level, its primary water source, and the nature of its outflow.

Lake Name	Area	Elevation	Water Source	Outflow
Lake Garda	370 km² (143 mi²)	65 m (213 ft)	River; other rivers; mountain streams	River
Lake Maggiore (shared with Switzerland)	212 km² (82 mi²)	193 m (633 ft)	Toce and Ticino rivers; Maggia and Tresa rivers; several smaller rivers	Ticino River
Lake Como	146 km² (56 mi²)	199 m (652 ft)	Adda and Mera rivers; several other rivers; mountain streams	Adda River
Lake Trasimeno	126 km² (49 mi²)	257 m (843 ft)	Rainwater	N/A (endorheic)
Lake Bolsena	115 km² (44 mi²)	305 m (1,000 ft)	Aquifer; rainwater	Marta River
Lake Iseo	65 km² (25 mi²)	185 m (607 ft)	Oglio River	Oglio River
Lake Varano	60 km² (23 mi²)	1 m (3.2 ft)	Several mountain springs	Canal of Varano; Canal of Capoiale
Lake Bracciano	58 km² (22 mi²)	164 m (538 ft)	Rainfall; underground springs; percolation	Arrone River
Lake Lesina	51 km² (19 mi²)	0 m (0 ft)	Several streams; rainfall; groundwater	Acquarotta and Schiapparo canals
Lake Lugano (shared with Switzerland)	49 km² (18 mi²)	271 m (889 ft)	Several mountain streams	Tresa River