Sea Of Galilee Size report
The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias, is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, the lowest freshwater lake on Earth, and the second-lowest lake in the world, only higher than its southern salt lake, the Dead Sea. From 1948 to 1967, it was bordered immediately to the northeast by the cease-fire line with Syria.
The Sea of Galilee lies deep in the Jordan Rift Valley, the dividing line between the African and Arabian plates. As a result, the region has frequent earthquakes and, in the past, volcanic activity, as evidenced by the abundance of basalt and other igneous rocks in the geological formations of the Sea of Galilee region.
Because the lake is located in a low-lying rift valley surrounded by mountains, violent storms often occur suddenly. Stories about Jesus calming the storm are recorded in the New Testament. Indeed, the main feature of this lake is its constant changes. You will learn more interesting facts about the Sea of Galilee in this post.
Size And Description of Lake Tiberias
The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River, rainfall, and springs on the northern side. The Jordan River is the most important origin of this lake, which flows into the lake in a steady stream. The Sea of Galilee is more than 600 feet below sea level and is surrounded by mountains to the east and west. The lake area has a good climate, flat terrain, abundant soil, fertilizer, and water. The region has been the source of livelihood for various peoples since ancient times, and Canaanite (ancient Palestinian) structures that date to between 1000 and 2000 BCE have been uncovered.
The Sea of Galilee is famous for its biblical associations; its Old Testament name was the Sea of Chinnereth, and later it was called the Lake of Gennesaret. Most of Jesus' ministry took place by the Sea of Galilee. At that time, some settlements and villages continued to develop along the lake, with extensive trade and ferries. According to Jewish historians, there were nine cities along the coast of Lake Tiberias in ancient times, and Tiberias, one of the four holy cities of Jews, has been prosperous until now.
Sea Of Galilee Size
The sea of Galilee is pear-shaped, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) long from north to south, and about 11 kilometers (7 miles) wide from east to west, with a surface area of 166 square kilometers (64 square miles). Its surface elevation was long given as 209 meters (686 feet) below sea level, but for decades the annual water level generally has been 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) below the traditional level. Its maximum depth, measured in the northeast, is 48 meters (157 feet).
| Features | Size |
|---|---|
| Max. length | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Max. width | 11 km (7 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 209 m (686 ft) |
| Surface area | 166 sq km (64 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 48 m (157 ft) |
Water resources
The coastal area of the Sea of Galilee is the holy place where Jesus preached and performed miracles in the Bible. It is also Israel's largest freshwater lake and the lifeblood of water. Here is one of Israel's national dams in Israel, built-in 1964 to transport water from the lake to Israel's population centers, the source of most of the country's drinking water. Israel also supplies water to the West Bank and Jordan (under the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty). Growing water demands and extremely dry seasons have caused the lake's water volumes to plummet in recent years, sometimes reaching dangerously low levels.
Ecology
The waters of the Sea of Galilee support a variety of flora and fauna. The local flora found along most of the lake's shoreline include various reeds and phytoplankton. Some notable fauna in the lake includes zooplankton and fishes like the Kinneret bleak, tilapia, catfish, the long and short jaw tristramella, etc. The Sea of Galilee and its surroundings have been designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. The freshwater lake supports many avian species like marbled teals, grey herons, great cormorants, etc.
Final Words
Tourism is currently the most important industry in the Sea of Galilee. The entire Sea of Galilee is a popular holiday destination. One of the best places to look out over the Sea of Galilee is the Arbel Cliff on the west side of the lake. There are many historical and spiritual sites around the lake, especially the famous town of Tiberias, which millions of local and foreign tourists visit every year. Other economic activities include fishing, agriculture, and diamond processing, especially banana cultivation in the surrounding fertile belt.
