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.
Featured Video
Sea of Galilee Travel
References
Fast Facts
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Other Names
Lake Kinneret or Lake Tiberius
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Fact:
Also known as Bahr Tubariya, Ginnosar, Lake of Galilee, Lake of Gennesaret, Lake of Gennesar, Sea of Chinnereth, Sea of Chinneroth, Sea of Kinnereth, Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Tiberias, Waters of Gennesaret, Yam KinneretBible Places: History
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Fact:
Located in the Jordan Great Rift Valley
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Lake Type
Monomictic
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Length
14 miles
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Width
8 miles
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Max depth
141 feet
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Source
Jordon River
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Fact:
Pilgrims come to be re-baptized where Jordon and Galilee meet
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Fact:
History of Galilee goes back to reference in The Bible
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Primary inflows
Upper Jordan River and local runoff
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Primary outflows
Lower Jordan River, evaporation
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Surface area
166 km²
