Lucerne, Lake

Scenic lake surrounded by mountains in north-central Switzerland; area 114 sq km/44 sq mi. It lies at an altitude of 437 m/1,434 ft and its greatest depth is 215 m/705 ft. It has four main basins, connected by narrow channels. The lake is subject to sudden storms whipped up by the föhn wind.

Parts of the lake are in the cantons of Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. Most of the villages on the shores are summer resorts.