second largest lake in Italy (area 82 square miles 【212 square km】), bisected by the border between Lombardy (east) and Piedmont (west). Its northern end is in the Swiss Ticino canton. At an elevation of 633 feet (193 m) above sea level, the lake is 34 miles (54 km) long, with a maximum width of 7 miles (11 km) and a maximum depth of 1,220 feet (372 m). The lake is traversed from north to south by the Ticino River, and its other principal affluents are the Maggia from the north, the Toce from the west, and the short Tresa from Lake Lugano on the east. Off the western shore are the famous Borromean Islands, geologic continuations of the Pallanza Promontory. Lake Maggiore is bordered by the Swiss Alps to the north and by the Lombardian Plain and has a warm, mild climate.

The greatest landowners around the lake since the 15th century have been the Borromeo family, who still own the islands and fishery rights. The lake's name, meaning “greater,” refers to its being considerably larger than the neighbouring Orta and Varese lakes.

There is fishing for trout, pike, perch, and shad. Well-known lakeside resorts on the western shore are Stresa, Verbania, Arona, and Cannobio. Other towns are Luino and Laveno, on the eastern shore, and Locarno, Switz., at the northern end. Small steamers ply between them. Southwest of Verbania, Mount Mottarone (4,892 feet 【1,491 m】) rises between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.