Sea of Galilee

Lake Kinneret, better known as the Sea of Galilee is Israel's largest freshwater lake, approximately 59 kilometers (33 miles) in circumference, about 23km (13 miles) long and 14km (8 miles) broad. At 211 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 also known on modern maps as Lake Galilee or Lake Tiberias. The name Galilee refers to the wider region, divided into Upper and Lower Galilee.

In modern Hebrew this is known as Yam Kinneret, because of its shape. In Hebrew, 'kinnor' means 'harp'.

This body of water acts as the major source of water for the whole of Israel. Water, especially that of the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee, is a major issue in the conflict between the State of Israel and the Palestinians, as well as other Arab states in the region as a whole.

It is fed by underground springs, but its main source of water is the river Jordan which flows through it from North to South. It is still noted, as in New Testament times, for its rich fish stocks, and in Israeli tourist restaurants, 'St. Peter's Fish' is very popular.

Because of its situation, deep in the Jordan Rift Valley and surrounded by hills, it is prone to very 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.

Antiquity

The Sea of Galilee lies on the ancient Via Maris which linked Egypt with the northern empires. The Greeks, Hasmoneans, Herodians and Romans founded flourishing towns and settlements. The first century historian Flavius Josephus was so impressed by the area that he wrote, "One may call this place the ambition of Nature".

New Testament

Much of Christ's ministry was exercised on the shores of Lake Galilee. In those days, there was a continuous ribbon development of settlements and villages around the lake, and there was plenty of trade and ferrying by boat across the lake. Jesus recruited two of his apostles, the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew, from the shores of Galilee.

Modern times

After the Jewish revolt, the area went into decline and remained unfarmed for many centuries. Only in 1909 did Jewish pioneers build the first cooperative farming village, Kibbutz Degania. Nowadays, the Sea of Galilee is Israel's most popular northern holiday resort. The many historical and spiritual sites around the lake, especially its main town Tiberias are visited by millions of local and foreign tourists every year.