Tiberias Lake (Sea of Galilee - its other name) in Israel is most often called Keenerit. Its coast is one of the lowest land areas on the planet (relative to sea level). According to legend, 2 thousand years ago, Jesus Christ preached on its banks, raised the dead and healed the afflicted. Also it was there that he walked on water. The lake is the main freshwater source for all of Israel.
The history of the name of the lake
Lake Tiberias takes its name from the city of Tiberias (now Tiberias). Although it has other names. For example, in ancient times it was referred to as the Sea of Galilee. There is another name, according to the locality, - Gennisaret Lake. In modern times, it is most often called Kinneret. According to one version, it received such a name from a musical instrument called Kinor, according to another - in honor of the pagan deity Kinara.
Location
Lake Tiberias is located in the north-east of Israel, between the Golan and Galilee. It is located in the northern part of the Syrian-African Fault. Its shores are 213 meters below sea level. The area of the lake is 165 square kilometers, the depth is 45 meters. Its coastline is 60 kilometers long. The city of Tiberias was built on its western side.
On the north side, several rivers flow into the Tiberias Lake, which begin on the Golan Heights. One of them is Jordan, flowing from a reservoir from the south. Tiberias Lake is considered the lowest flowing freshwater body of water on the planet.
Features of Lake Tiberias
Lake Tiberias is one of the main fishing spots in Israel. Now almost two thousand tons of fish are caught there every year. It is inhabited by a total of over 20 species. Moreover, some, such as the Kineret sardine or tilapia (St. Peter's fish), live only in Lake Tiberias.
Sometimes the shores of the lake are attacked by hordes of fire ants. Its surface is usually calm, but there are small sudden storms. The water is dark blue due to basalt sand at the bottom of the reservoir. And despite the fact that it is fresh, it has a faint salty taste.
Tiberias Lake as part of the legend
Tiberias Lake (Israel) was mentioned in the Old Testament. According to legend, Jesus Christ lived on its shore, in the city of Kfar Nakhum (now Capernaum). In the lake, his apostles Peter and Andrew were fishing. Jesus Christ preached on its banks. And according to legend, they baptized him where the Jordan River flows from the lake. This place is called Yardenit. From ancient times, pilgrims come there. Water in this place is considered sacred. Therefore, pilgrims still perform ablutions there and offer prayers to the Almighty.
What are the attractions on the shores of Lake Tiberias?
Sights of Lake Tiberias are located along the coast. On the north side there is a small Franciscan church. On a hill called the Sermon on the Mount stands a monastery.
Tiberias Lake (Israel) is known for its kibbutzim. One of them - Ein Gev - is located on the coast, 13 kilometers from Degania. Previously, there was a border with Syria. It often hosts annual traditional music festivals that take place on Easter week. The best Israeli musicians and foreign artists come to them. Concerts are held in the open-air amphitheater.
On the south side, 1.5 km from the lake, on the shores of the Jordan, is the Jewish kibbutz Dgania. It was founded in 1909 by a group of Ukrainian youth. At his gate is a small Syrian tank, which was shot down during the war.
Not far from the lake you can see the ancient city of the Romans Beit Shean. On the Golan Heights are the Gamla and the graves of the great Jewish rabbis. Where the Jordan River flows into the lake, an amusement park with water attractions has been built. There are a lot of picturesque waterfalls on the Golan Heights. And very close is the fortress of the crusaders Belvoir.
What attracts tourists to Lake Tiberias?
There are many beaches on the entire coast of Lake Tiberias. Some of them are paid. There are many hot springs rich in mineral salts and sulfur. Some of them are used by tourists for medicinal purposes. There are many tasty and rare fish in the lake, which attract gourmets here. The most popular and popular fish is tilapia.
Tourists are very attracted by the Hamat Gader Nature Reserve. It contains thermal springs, during bathing in which they treat pain in the joints and body, skin diseases and a number of other ailments. The water there maintains a temperature of 42 degrees year-round. Roman baths were found in Hamat Gader during archaeological excavations. And it houses the largest crocodile nursery in the Middle East, in which 200 individuals of the most diverse species live.
The significance of Lake Tiberias for Israel
Tiberias Lake is the largest source of fresh water for Israel. It is considered the main reservoir of the country. A third of the water that all of Israel consumes comes from Lake Tiberias. In 1994, an agreement was signed between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, according to which 50 million cubic meters of fresh water are supplied to it annually. Most of it is taken from Lake Tiberias. Deliveries do not stop even during local conflicts between these countries.
In recent years, a decrease in water level has been observed in Lake Tiberias. And if it continues to grind, then it promises Israel hard times. The water level in the Dead Sea is also declining. And it feeds on the waters of the Jordan River, which, as mentioned above, flows precisely from Lake Tiberias.
Reducing water consumption from Lake Tiberias is possible only after the construction of desalination facilities on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Or you need to drill wells to groundwater. But all these works are very inconvenient financially, since they will require a lot of costs, and it takes a lot of time to build them.
