Lake Como is an Italian lake, also called Lario, situated in Lombardy, northern Italy, 25 miles north of Milan. Lake Como has three branches of approximately equal length (about 16 miles). One stretches northward past Colico; of the other two, one stretches southwestward to the city of Como, the other southeastward beyond Lecco (this branch also known as Lecco Lake), with Bellagio Promontory marking the bifurcation. It is subject to frequent floods and is swept by two winds, the tivano from the north in the morning and the breva from the south in the afternoon. Its northern arm once probably extended as far as Chiavenna, enclosing the area now covered by Mezzola Lake. Como is associated with the classical writings of Virgil, the two Plinys, and Claudian. A luxuriant lakeshore vegetation includes vines and fig, pomegranate, olive, chestnut, and oleander trees. There is fishing for trout, eel, and agoni, a type of herring, but pollution has much reduced the fish population. The lake is famous for the natural beauty of its setting and for the handsome villas on its shores (including the one owned by actor George Clooney). Among the many noted lakeside resorts are Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, and Varenna. Several towns are connected by steamer services.