25 May, 2009

The Sea of Galilee

© Angela M. Lobefaro

The Sea of Gallilee, also Lake of Gennesaret, Lake Kinneret or Sea of Tiberias (Hebrew: ים כנרת‎), (Arabic: بحيرة طبريا‎), is Israel's largest freshwater lake, being approximately 53 km (33 miles) in circumference, about 21 km (13 miles) long, and 13 km (8 miles) wide. The lake has a total area of 166 km², and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m.[3] At 209 meters below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake).[4]

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee

Thanks to gadihext and to his very friendly family for the fantastic hospitality!

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