Venice experiences a phenomenon "acqua alta" or "high water" due to exceptional tide peaks in the Adriatric Sea.

   The tidal peaks reach their maximum level in the Venetian Lagoon, which runs around and through the city, causing flooding in the region.

   The causes of the tidal peaks are down to a number of factors, including the movement and phase of the moon, wind strengths and direction as well as rain level and rising sea-levels.

   The flooding levels vary across the city due to varying altitudes above sea level, plus heights of pavements and distance from channels.