Lake Lugano

(Local Name: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio) Lake Lugano (in Italian Lago di Lugano or Ceresio), on the southern edge of the Alps, lies mainly within the Swiss canton of Ticino, the remainder being in the Italian province of Varese and Como. Lying at an altitude of 270 m/ 886ft, it has an area of 48.7 sq. km/19 sq. mi, with a maximum depth of 288 m/945ft. From the west end of the lake the River Tresa flows into Lake Maggiore. The climate already shows distinct Mediterranean characteristics.