Location of the Sea of Galilee

The **Sea of Galilee** (Hebrew: **Yam Kinneret**; Arabic: **Buhayrat Tabariyya**) is a **freshwater lake** in **northern Israel**, at the heart of the **Jordan Rift Valley** (part of the **Great Rift Valley** system).

Geographic Coordinates

• Latitude/Longitude: 32°50′N 35°35′E
• Elevation: **−209 to −215 m (−686 to −705 ft) below sea level** — **lowest freshwater lake on Earth**.

Dimensions

• Length: ~21 km (13 mi) N–S
• Width: ~13 km (8 mi) E–W
• Surface Area: ~166 km² (64 sq mi)
• Max Depth: ~43 m (141 ft)
• Volume: ~4 km³ (1 cu mi)

Hydrology

• Primary Inflow: **Jordan River** (enters north, exits south).
• Secondary: **Springs, wadis (seasonal streams), direct rainfall**.
• Outflow: **Jordan River** (south) → **Dead Sea** (terminal, hypersaline).
• Water Level: **Managed** via **Degania Dam** (south exit) for national water carrier (Mekorot) supply. **Critical "Red Lines"** (upper/lower) trigger pumping restrictions.

Significance

• Biblical/New Testament: **Jesus' ministry center** (Capernaum, Bethsaida, Magdala, Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes).
• Water Supply: **Major source for Israel's National Water Carrier** (until desalination expansion).
• Ecology: **Tilapia (St. Peter's Fish), sardines, catfish**; migratory birds (Hula Valley nearby).
• Tourism: **Pilgrimage, beaches, water sports, Tiberias (west shore spa city).**

It is **not a "sea"**—the name reflects ancient Semitic usage for any large water body. Locally, **Lake Kinneret** (from *kinnor* = harp, its shape).