Sea of Galilee

Guide Note

Sea of Galilee is lowest fresh water lake on earth at 686 feet below sea level. The lake is Israel's largest freshwater lake, being approximately 33 miles in circumference, about 13 miles long, and 8 miles wide. The lake has a total area of 166 km², and a maximum depth of approximately 141 feet.

The Sea of Galilee is located in the Jordon Great Rift Valley which was created by the separation of the African and Arabian Plates. The lake is fed partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south.

The Sea serves as the major reservoir for Israel's National Water Carrier System and supplies approximately one third of the country's annual water requirements. Extensive agriculture can be found around the lake especially in the Hula Valley and around the lake shores. Major crops include Cotton, Alfalfa, Bananas and Dates. A significant commercial fishing continues on the lake with annual yields of 1,500-2,500 tons.

Fast Facts

  1. Other Names: Lake Kinneret or Lake Tiberius
  2. Located in the Jordan Great Rift Valley
  3. Lake Type: Monomictic
  4. Length: 14 miles
  5. Width: 8 miles
  6. Max depth: 141 feet
  7. Source: Jordon River
  8. Pilgrims come to be re-baptized where Jordon and Galilee meet
  9. History of Galilee goes back to reference in The Bible

The Mahalo Top 7

  1. International Lake Environment Committee: Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)
  2. BiblePlaces.com: Sea of Galilee
  3. Wikipedia: Sea of Galilee
  4. Official Site: The Jesus Boat Cherryl: Interesting!
  5. Virtual Israel Experience: Tiberias
  6. BibleWalks.com: Sea of Galilee - Kinnereth - Overview
  7. Video: Flying around the Sea of Galilee (Time 04:04)


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