Lake Como, also known as Lario is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy. It has an area of 146 sq km, making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over 400 metres deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Its characteristic "Y" shape resulted from the movement of the ancient Adda glacier, which was diverted by the mountainous terrain and carved the three branches. Located at the foot of the Alps, Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocracy and the wealthy since Roman times, and a major tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. Today, while Lario persists in cultural, literary, and historical references, and survives in the names of several lakeside towns (such as Gera Lario, Pognana Lario, and Mandello del Lario), the name most commonly used by Italians and recognized internationally, particularly within the tourism sector, is Lago di Como.
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