Lake Geneva - Almost An Inland Sea
Known as one of the largest lakes in Central Europe, Lake Geneva inspires travelers from all over the world. Holding an amazing 89 trillion liters of freshwater, its peculiar crescent shape forms the widest part of the River Rhône. The water start flowing at the Rhone Glacier, takes a westward course through the mountains of Canton Valais and enters the lake in the vicinity of Le Bouveret. It takes an estimated 15 t 17 years for this water to replenish and to completely flow out of the lake into the Mediterranean Sea near Marseille. The lake measures 14 kilometers where it bulges the widest, and goes down to 310 meters at its deepest. Take a boat cruise on the lake - an unforgettable experience! Lake Geneva has been known by many names. It was called Lacus Lemanus by the Romans centuries ago. It was also named after the city of Lausanne in the middle ages, but was changed to Lac de Genève when Geneva became famous between the sixteenth and nineteen centuries. While most of the English-speaking world still refers to it by this name, owing as well to Geneva being the world's 'peace capital,' its current local name has actually gone back to Lac Leman, after its Roman name. In German, it is called Genfersee. The central and eastern parts are also known as "Grand Lac" (Large Lake) while the narrow western part is referred to as "Petit Lac" (Small Lake). 
The surrounding area is considered wine country. Wine-tasting or dégustation is in fact one of the most popular tourist activities here, especially in the Laveaux region. For a more rustic experience, adventurous travelers can go on a bike tour along Route des Vignerons, a trail that passes through vineyard to vineyard. Visitors can stop over and pay to have a taste of three to four kinds of wine in a caveaux or wine cellar. Lake Geneva is very much like an inland sea that offers various opportunities for water sports and recreation. Around 65 beach resorts line the shores, providing accommodation and leisure to travelers who have come to experience the beauty and serenity of the lake region. The northern shore is often called Swiss Riviera. Local Swiss and French families living around the lake have fishing as their main source of livelihood. The lake's natural bounty includes pike, trout and perch, which are typically sold and served in local markets and restaurants. Locals also work on the ferries, as well as in various other jobs related to tourism. |
