Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is Israel's largest freshwater lake, approximately 53 kilometers (33 miles) in circumference, about 21 km (13 miles) long, and 13 km (8 miles) wide; it has a total area of 166 sq km, and a maximum depth of approximately 48 meters. At 213 meters below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest point in the world after the Dead Sea. It is not a sea by any normal definition; it is called a sea just because of tradition.

Related Topics:
Israel - Freshwater - Lake - Kilometer - Mile - Dead Sea - Sea

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The lake is also known on modern maps as Lake Galilee or Lake Tiberias. The name Galilee refers to the region of Galilee in which it is located. In modern Hebrew it is known as {{Audio|He-Sea_of_Galilee.ogg|Yam Kinneret}} (?? ???? or ?? ?????). The name may originate from the Hebrew word kinnor ("harp" or "lyre") - which the lake's shape resembles. It has also been called the Lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1) after the name of a small fruitful plain which lies on its western side. The Arabic name for the lake is {{Audio|ArTiberias.ogg|Buhairet Tabariyya}} (????? ?????) meaning Lake Tiberias. Other names of the Sea of Galilee: Ginnosar, Lake of Gennesar, Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27), Sea of Chinneroth, Sea of Kinnereth, Sea of Tiberias (Roman), and Waters of Gennesaret.

Related Topics:
Galilee - Hebrew - Kinnor - Gennesaret - Luke - Arabic - Numbers - Joshua

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The Kinneret is fed by underground springs, but its main source is the Jordan River, which flows through it from north to south. The lake is situated deep in the Jordan Great Rift Valley, the valley caused by the separation of the African and Arabian Plates. Consequently the area is subject to earthquakes and, in the past, volcanic activity. This is evidenced by the abundant basalt and other igneous rock that define the geology of the Sea of Galilee region.

Related Topics:
Jordan River - Great Rift Valley - African - Arabian Plate - Earthquake - Volcanic - Basalt - Igneous

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Due to its low-lying position in the rift valley, surrounded by hills, the sea is prone to sudden violent storms; hence the New Testament story about Jesus calming the storm. Indeed, the main feature of the lake seems to be its ever-changing character. It is still noted, as in New Testament times, for its rich fish stocks, and in today's restaurants, "St. Peter's Fish" (tilapia) is very popular.

Related Topics:
Jesus - New Testament - Tilapia

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