Lake 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 Verone (to the south-east), Brescia
(south-west), and Trento (north). The lake is a major tourist
destination, with a number of hotels and resorts along its shore. The northern part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by mountains, the major
of which belong to the Group of
Baldo.
The shape is that typical of a morain 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 the
Isola dei Conigli ("Rabbits' Island") or San Biagio. 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
and Tench . 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. |
