Germany's Largest Lake: Lake Constance (Bodensee)

Lake Constance (Bodensee) is Germany's largest lake by surface area.

Key Facts

• Area: **536 km² (207 sq mi)** — shared by **Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg), Austria, Switzerland**.
• Max Depth: 251 m (823 ft).
• Volume: 48 km³.
• Shore Length: 273 km (170 mi).
• Inflow/Outflow: **Rhine River** (Alpine Rhine in, High Rhine out).
• Parts: Obersee (main), Überlinger See (north arm), Untersee (west, shallower).

Context

• 3rd largest in Central Europe after Lake Balaton (Hungary, 592 km²) and Lake Geneva (France/Switzerland, 580 km²).
• **Not entirely in Germany** — only ~170 km² / 32% of shoreline is German. But it's the largest *on German territory*.
• Major tourism (Mainau Island, Reichenau Abbey, Zeppelin Museum, cycling), drinking water for 4M+, ecology (whitefish, migratory birds).

If considering **entirely within Germany**: **Müritz** (Mecklenburg Lake District, 117 km²) is largest.