With a surface of 218.3 km² it's the largest lake entirely in Switzerland, as the larger Lake Geneva and Lake Constance are shared with neighboring countries. Lake Neuchâtel is 38.3 km long and no more than 8.2 km large. Its surface is 429 m above sea-level, maximum depth is 152 m, volume 14.0 km³ and drainage area approx. 2.670 km².
The lake receives the Orbe River (called Thièle when it flows into the lake), the Arnon, the Areuse (which traverses the Val de Travers), Seyon (flowing through the Val de Ruz), the canal de la Sauge (which drains Lake Murten and receives the Broye River), and the Mentue (at Yvonand). The canal of Thielle (or Zihl) drains the lake into Lake Biel/Bienne and is part of regulation system for the lakes and the rivers of the Seeland region.
The scenery of the lake, though pleasing, cannot compare with that of the other Swiss lakes, despite the fact that from it the giants of both the Mont Blanc and Bernese Oberland ranges are clearly seen.
At the south-western extremity of the lake is Yverdon (the Eburodunum of the Romans and the residence of the educationalist Pestalozzi, 1806-1825).
Far more populated is the northwestern shore, where, from S.W. to N.E., we fifid Grandson (famous for the battle of 1476 wherein Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, was defeated by the Swiss), Cortaillod (producing excellent sparkling wine), Serrires (with the famous manufactories of Suchard chocolate) and Neuchtel itself.
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