Lake Maggiore, << muh JOHR ee, >> lies northwest of Milan, Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. Most of the lake is in Italy, but a small part in the north lies in Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is 40 miles (64 kilometers) long and covers 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). In some places, the lake is more than 1,200 feet (366 meters) deep. High mountains overlook the north and west shores of the lake. Many small villages on these shores depend largely on tourism. The lower, more fertile hills to the south support vineyards, orchards, and vegetable crops. Important cities on the lake include Locarno, Switzerland; and Stresa, Italy.
