Lake Balaton is a large freshwater lake located in western Hungary, about 100 kilometers southwest of Budapest. It is the largest lake in Central Europe and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

The lake has a surface area of approximately 600 square kilometers and is relatively shallow, with an average depth of only 3-4 meters. Despite its shallowness, the lake is an important source of freshwater for the region and is used for irrigation and drinking water.

Lake Balaton has a long history of human habitation, with archaeological evidence suggesting that the area around the lake has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the Roman era, the lake was known as Lacus Pelso and was an important center of trade and commerce.