How Deep Is Lake Como: Incredible Facts About The Lake

Written by Colby Maxwell
Updated: May 31, 2023
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Lake Como is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, but what makes it so special? This famous lake is known around the world, but most people don’t know much about it. Today, we will answer the question: How Deep is Lake Como? Plus, learn other incredible facts about the lake. Let’s get started!

Where Is Lake Como Located?

How Deep is Lake Como: 5 Incredible Facts About the Lake

The beautiful Lake Como is located in the northern part of Italy.

©iStock.com/Leila Kitlaeva

Lake Como is one of the major lakes in Europe. It is located in the northern portion of Italy, due north of Milan near the border of Switzerland. The lake originates in Lombardy, Italy, and was formed during a period of glaciation. As the ice swept into the area thousands of years ago, it carved deep notches into the land. As it retreated and melted, those notches filled with water and formed Lake Como.

Where Is Lake Cuomo Located On A Map?

Lake Cuomo is in the northern region of Italy, located in the provinces of Como and Lecco in Lombardy, in the foothills of the Alps, close to the Swiss border and around one hour north of Milan.

How Deep Is Lake Como?

Lake Como is over 1,300 feet deep.

The formation of Lake Como has a lot to do with its depth. With a depth of around 1,300 feet, it is listed as the fifth deepest lake in Europe and the deepest lake outside of Norway, a region known for its massive mjøs, inland Fjords, and deep waterways. Like most of the lakes in Norway, Lake Como was formed by the expansion and later retreat of a massive sheet of ice. The four other lakes in Europe that are deeper than Lake Como (all of which are found in Norway) include Hornindalsvatnet (1,686 feet), Salvatnet (1,581 feet), Lake Tinn (1,509 feet), and Mjøsa (1,456 feet).

How Big Is Lake Como?

Lake Como is 56 square miles, the third largest in Italy.

©iStock.com/goncharovaia

Lake Como has a surface area of 56 square miles.

Despite being one of the deepest, Lake Como isn’t one of the largest. In fact, the lake measures as only the third largest lake in Italy, behind Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Lake Como is known for its inverted “Y” shape, with the long part of the Y starting in the north and the two forks separating in the south. The region between the two forks of the lake is known as the Lake Como Triangle Community and the Larian Triangle.

What Is Lake Como Known For?

Lake Como is often regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Ringed by the Alps, the blue lake has a humid and subtropical microclimate, a rare feature near the mountains. The beautiful region and unique climate have solidified Lake Como as a prime destination for people since the Roman Empire.

Immaculate villas, stunning resorts, and local farms dot the region around the lake, making it a tourist destination for locals and international travelers alike. In fact, Pliny the Younger, a famous Roman author, built two resorts, the Comedia and the Tragedia, along its shores nearly 2000 years ago. Although the buildings are no longer there, other resorts have taken their place around the waters.

What Major Cities And Towns Are Located Around Lake Como?

The important cities and towns around Lake Como include Como, Colico, Lecco, Varenna, and Bellagio.

©iStock.com/Christine944

Although Lake Como isn’t as famous as Rome or Milan, there are still some important towns and cities in the surrounding area. The most northern branch of the lake begins at the town of Colico, while the most southern towns on the southern arms of the lake are Como and Lecco. Como is known as the main town of the region and is the largest by population. The city of Como is also home to a lot of Renaissance architecture, making it a popular tourist and resort destination.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Christine944


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About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

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