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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. |
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