Leman lake
Description
Lake Geneva is Western Europe’s largest lake.
Its French name Léman is probably Celtic in origin, changed by Latin with frequent name changes over time: Lacus Lemanus, Lake Geneva or Lake Léman.
The lake is crescent-shaped with the north bank and two sides being Swiss and the south bank being French. The border goes through the middle of the lake.
The Rhone crosses through the lake from east to west.
Many things have made the lake what it is today: Tectonic folding in part of the Great Lake and the action of a Rhone glacier in the Small Lake (between Yvoire and Geneva). It was formed when the Rhone glacier melted after the last ice age almost 15,000 years ago.
Key figures and locations:
Length of intersection: 72.8km
Maximum width: 13.8km
Surface area: 582.4km² (348.4km² in Switzerland and 234km² in France)
Altitude: 372m
Maximum depth: 309.7m, coast plus 62.3m between Lausanne and Évian
Total water volume: 89 million m³
Microclimate...
Although it is on the edge of the Alps, Lake Geneva has created a microclimate around it due to the sheer amount of water it holds. For example, in Montreux and its immediate surroundings you can see palm trees, agaves and other exotic plants.
In winter, the lake uses the heat it has conserved during the summer to make the harsh mountain winter milder.
In summer the lake cools its surroundings.
Lake Geneva’s wildlife:
Fish: Approximately 30 species of fish live together in the lake including:
True fera or féra as it is known locally, 360 tons caught in 2006 (310 tons in 2005).
Perch, which is filleted, 224 tons caught in 2006 (234 tons in 2005).
Pike, 35 tons caught in 2006 (47 tons in 2005, 29 tons in 2004 and 31 tons in 2000). In 1996 a 1.34m long pike was caught in the lake and a 20.5kg pike was caught in March 2004 in the Vaud area.
Lake trout, 11 tons caught in 2006 (17 tons in 2005, 27 tons in 2004). Some specimens can weigh up to 8 or 10 kilos.
The ever popular Arctic char, 14 tons caught in 2006 (17 tons in 2005, 9 tons in 2004, 68 tons in 2000). This fish is very sensitive to global warming as it requires very cold water in order to reproduce.
Crayfish which were released in the lake by mistake in the 80s and have now colonised the waters. This shellfish is very popular for its succulent meat and fishermen’s catch is now supplied to restaurants.
Roach, bleak, carp, burbot, tench, stickleback and many more.
Birds:
Many birds come to the lake as it is a migration route between the Alps and the Jura Mountains.
The 150,000 birds and ducks coming from Scandinavia and even Siberia to spend their winter here include:
the Great Cormorant
the Common Merganser
the Great Crested Grebe
the Common Pochard
the Tufted Duck
and the Eurasian Coot
Along with swans and mallards.
Tourism around Lake Geneva:
There are lots of tourist attractions around Lake Geneva.
On the Swiss coast stands Château de Chillon (Vaud) in a unique romantic setting popularised in written form by Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s La Nouvelle Héloïse and Byron’s The Prisoner of Chillon.
On the Haute-Savoie Chablais coast lies the fortified village of Yvoire (also know as the pearl of Lake Geneva) on a rocky fort, Excenevex Beach and Château de Ripaille. In historical Thonon-les-Bains there are towers, parks and vineyards.
The Lavaux vineyards between Vevey and Lutry were classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.
Visitors can also explore the many sides to life around Lake Geneva by visiting its towns and cities such as Geneva itself, Lausanne, Montreux and Thonon-les-Bains.