Lucerne, Lake

Lucerne, Lake
German Vierwaldstättersee ("Lake of the Four Forest Cantons")

Lake, central Switzerland.

It is 24 mi (39 km) long and 0.5 to 2 mi (0.8 to 3 km) wide, with an area of 44 sq mi (114 sq km). It has a maximum depth of 702 ft (214 m). The "Cross of Lucerne" is formed by its four main basins, which are joined by narrow channels. Named after the city of Lucerne at its western end, it is in a region of resorts and tourist attractions.

* * *

also called  Lake of Lucerne , or  Lake of the Four Cantons , German  Vierwaldstätter See , French  Lac Lucerne , or  Lac des Quatre Cantons 

      principal lake of central Switzerland, surrounded by the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Uri, and Schwyz. The lake is named after the city of Lucerne, which lies at its western end. The lake is most beautifully situated between steep limestone mountains, the best-known being the Rigi (north) and Pilatus (west), at an elevation of 1,424 feet (434 m). The lake's area is 44 square miles (114 square km); it is about 24 miles (39 km) long, with a maximum width of 2 miles (3 km) and a maximum depth of 702 feet (214 m). Great promontories such as Horw (west), Bürgenstock (south), Meggenhorn (north), and Seelisberg (south) project into its waters, giving it an irregular shape. The Reuss River enters the lake near Flüelen (southeast) and leaves it at Lucerne, and the lake receives the rivers Muota (northeast) and the Engelberger Aa and the Sarner Aa (south).

      Lake Lucerne is composed of four main basins (with two side basins), which represent four glaciated valleys, topographically distinct and connected only by narrow and tortuous channels. The most easterly basin, Lake Uri (Urner See), extends north from Flüelen to Brunnen, where it meets Lake Gersau (or Buochs), formed by the extension into the lake of the Muota Delta. Another narrow passage between the two “noses” (nasen) of the Bürgenstock and the Rigi leads west to the basin of Weggis. This expanse forms the eastern arm of the “Cross of Lucerne.” The western arm is Lake Lucerne, the northern arm is Lake Küssnacht, and the southern arm is that of Hergiswil, which is prolonged southwestward by Lake Alpnach, to which it is joined by a narrow channel.

      Situated at the heart of the first four cantons of the Swiss Confederation, the lake has numerous historical associations. Lake Uri's eastern shore is the site of the legendary Swiss patriot William Tell (Tell, William)'s leap from the boat in which the bailiff Gessler was taking him to prison (marked by the Chapel of Tell). The legendary meeting place of the founders of the Confederation, the meadow of Rütli, is on the west bank. The Everlasting League of 1315 was formed at Brunnen, and the Hollow Way (Hohle Gasse), the scene of the legendary murder of Gessler by William Tell, runs south along Lake Küssnacht. Lucerne is the principal lakeside town in a region noted for its summer resorts.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lucerne, Lake County, California — Lucerne   census designated place   Location i …   Wikipedia

  • Lucerne, Lake of — lake, CEN. Switzerland; 44 sq. mi …   Webster's Gazetteer

  • Lucerne, Lake of — or German Vierwaldstätter See geographical name lake 24 miles (39 kilometers) long central Switzerland area 44 square miles (114 square kilometers) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Lucerne, Lake — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Lucerne (disambiguation) — Lucerne, Luzern, or Luzerne may be: Places Switzerland *Lucerne (in German Luzern ), capital of the **Canton of Lucerne on **Lake Lucerne (in German: Vierwaldstätter See ) France *La Lucerne d Outremer, a village and commune United States… …   Wikipedia

  • Lucerne, California — may refer to: *Lucerne, Lake County, California *Lucerne, Kings County, California …   Wikipedia

  • Lake Worth, Florida — Infobox Settlement official name = Lake Worth settlement type = City nickname = motto = imagesize = image caption = image image blank emblem = blank emblem type = blank emblem size = imagesize = image caption = image image blank emblem = blank… …   Wikipedia

  • Lake Lucerne — Dieser Artikel wurde aufgrund von inhaltlichen Mängeln auf der Qualitätssicherungsseite des Projektes USA eingetragen. Hilf mit, die Qualität dieses Artikels auf ein akzeptables Niveau zu bringen, und beteilige dich an der Diskussion! …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • lake — lake1 /layk/, n. 1. a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land. 2. any similar body or pool of other liquid, as oil. 3. (go) jump in the lake, (used as an exclamation of dismissal or impatience.) [bef. 1000; ME lak(e) …   Universalium

  • Lake — /layk/, n. Simon, 1866 1945, U.S. engineer and naval architect. * * * I Relatively large body of slow moving or standing water that occupies an inland basin. Lakes are most abundant in high northern latitudes and in mountain regions, particularly …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”