Although some think a large portion of Shiga Prefecture is occupied by Lake Biwa, it is forests that occupy the largest area (approximately half of the total area of the prefecture), and the area of Lake Biwa is approximately one-sixth of the prefecture's total area.
県土の大半が琵琶湖であるかのように思われがちだが、最も面積を占めるのは山林（県総面積の約半分）であり、琵琶湖が占める面積は県総面積の1/6程度である。