The
Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in Israel. Located 214 meters
below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the
second-lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea). It has a total area of
166 km (64 sq mi), and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m, and it is fed
partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River. The
warm waters of the Sea of Galilee support various flora and fauna, yielding
over two millennia of commercial fishery. The Sea of Galilee has much historic
and biblical significance. It lies on the ancient Via Maris, which linked Egypt
with the northern empires, and the Greeks, Hasmoneans, and Romans founded flourishing towns and settlements
on the land-locked lake (e.g., Gadara, Hippos and Tiberias). Moreover, much of
the ministry of Jesus occurred on the shores of Lake Galilee, and it is said
that many of his miracles have occurred here, including his walking on water,
calming the storm, the disciples and the boatload of fish, and his feeding five
thousand people (in Tabgha).