SPACEPHOTOS

Lake Geneva, Switzerland Winter/Spring 1997 The crescent-shaped Lake Geneva can be seen in this southeast-looking view. Surrounded by the Alps to the south and east (upper portion of the image), and the Jura Mountains to the west (lower portion of the image), Lake Geneva is 45 miles (70 km) long and 1.5 to 9 miles (1 to 14 km) wide. The lake covers an area of 224 square miles (580 square km). The maximum depth of Lake Geneva is 1,017 feet (310 meters). The Rhone River traverses the lake from east to west, emerging at the western end at the city of Geneva. Lake Geneva is noted for its deep blue and remarkably transparent waters and the shores of the lake are dotted with numerous resorts and villas. The slopes of the northern shore of the lake (left) are dotted with many vineyards and orchards. Lake Geneva is subject to seiches (tidal fluctuations) that suddenly change the lake’s level. Near the bottom left of the image, the southwestern portion of the Lake of Neuchatal is visible. The lake is 24 miles (39 km) long and 4 to 5 miles (6 to 8 km) wide. The city of Geneva is located at the western end of the Lake Geneva. Geneva is the seat of many international bodies, such as the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, and the World Meteorological Organization.