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Location Overview |
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| On the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy and Switzerland, the Maggiore Lake (or Verbano), is the second largest Italian lake, after Garda. It is situated close to the Alps, stretching for 65 km prevalently NNE-SSW from Magadino to Sesto Calende. Most of the lake lies in Italian territory, marking the boundary between the provinces of Novara and the VCO (Verbania-Cusio-Ossola), in Piedmont, and Varese, in Lombardy; only the most northerly end (42 sq km) belongs to Switzerland. A mild climate with an lush vegetation, excellent hotels of longstanding tradition, and many campsites, make the Maggiore Lake a favourite tourist centre. Well-known towns of international fame line its shore: Castelletto Ticino, Dormelletto, Arona, Meina, Lesa, Belgirate, Stresa, Baveno, Verbania, Ghiffa, Oggebbio, Cannero Riviera and Cannobio on the Piedmont side; Maccagno, Luino, Laveno and Angera on the Lombardy shores; Locarno, Ascona and Brissago on Swiss soil. From the lake time seems to have stood still. The Monastery of Santa Caterina clinging to the rocky cliff, the Borromeo Islands, small in size but rich in history, and the Castles of Cannero, island outpost of the Mazzarditi Brothers, infamous pirates of the Verbano, are just a few of the timeless examples awaiting the visitor. |
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