Lake Constance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Constance |
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| Location | Germany, Switzerland, Austria |
| Coordinates | 47°35′N 9°28′E / 47.583°N 9.467°E |
| Type | glacial lake |
| Native name | Bodensee Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Part of | Rhine |
| Primary inflows | Alpine Rhine |
| Primary outflows | High Rhine |
| Catchment area | 11,500 km2 (4,400 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Germany, Switzerland, Austria |
| Max. length | 63 km (39 mi) |
| Max. width | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Surface area | 536 km2 (207 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 90 m (300 ft) |
| Max. depth | 251 m (823 ft) |
| Water volume | 48 km3 (12 cu mi; 39,000,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Residence time | 4.3 years |
| Shore length1 | 273 km (170 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 395 m (1,296 ft) |
| Frozen | 1795, 1830, 1880 (partial), 1963 |
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| Sections/sub-basins |
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| Settlements | see list |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Constance (also called Bodensee in German) is a very large lake in Central Europe. It sits right on the border between three countries: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It's the third biggest lake in Central Europe. Only Lake Balaton and Lake Geneva are larger.
Lake Constance is actually made up of two smaller lakes. These are called Obersee (Upper Lake) and Untersee (Lower Lake). A small part of the Rhine river connects them near the city of Constance. The total area of the lake is about 564 km2 (218 sq mi).
The lake has three main islands. Two of them, Lindau and Mainau, are in the Obersee. The third island, Reichenau, is in the Untersee. The Obersee is about 63 km (39 mi) long. It stretches from Bregenz to Ludwigshafen. At its widest point, it is about 14 km (9 mi) across. The deepest part of the lake is 254 m (833 ft) deep. This deep spot is found between Fischbach and Uttwil.
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Countries Around the Lake
Lake Constance forms a natural border for three countries. These are Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. About 62% of the lake's shoreline is in Germany. Switzerland has about 33% of the shore. The remaining 11% belongs to Austria.
For a long time, the exact border in the middle of the lake was not fully decided. Switzerland believes the border runs through the middle of the lake. Austria thinks the lake is a "condominium." This means it's a shared space governed by all countries together. Germany does not have a clear opinion on this. However, rules for things like navigation (boats) and fishing are agreed upon by separate agreements.
When the Lake Freezes
It is very rare for the entire Lake Constance to freeze over. This has only happened a few times in history. The last time the whole lake froze was in 1963. It has not frozen completely since then.
Cities and Towns by the Lake
Many towns and cities are located along the shores of Lake Constance. These places are popular for visitors and offer beautiful views.
German Towns
- Konstanz
- Radolfzell
- Meersburg
- Überlingen
- Friedrichshafen
- Lindau
Swiss Towns
Austrian Towns
Images for kids
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Location of Lake Constance within the Duchy of Swabia (yellow), 911–1268
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Saints Columbanus and Gallus on Lake Constance, from a 15th-century manuscript
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1540 map of the Lake Constance region
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Complete lake from the Winterstaude
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Lake Constance with the Island of Lindau seen from the Pfänder in 2007
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The mouth of the Alpine Rhine into Lake Constance
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The island of Mainau
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Sandy beach at the Marienschlucht
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Summer storm – view of the Luitpold Barracks in Lindau
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Waves raised by föhn winds on the lake
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Frozen lake surface: skating in the Markelfinger Winkel
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Lake Constance, seen from a vineyard
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Flooding on the shore of Lake Constance, May 2013
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The Mettnau peninsula
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Coot in Hard am Bodensee
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Lake Constance seen from Spot satellite.
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Pilgrimage church of Birnau
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Diving spot "devils table" at Lake Constanze
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"Rund-um" (All-Around) Regatta next to Lindau
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The steamboat, Hohentwiel
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View from the Pfänder hill of Bregenz and the lake (with Lindau in the background)
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Reichenau seen from the German shore
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Lake Constance from Lindau
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Twilight near Arbon
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The Lower Lake (Untersee)
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Dingelsdorf shipping pier
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See also
In Spanish: Lago de Constanza para niños
