The Sea of Galilee As Seen From Orbit

The Sea of Galilee in northern Israel is featured in this 15 Aug. 2009 image photographed by an Expedition 20 crew member on the International Space Station. Israel’s largest freshwater lake is also known as the Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Gennesaret, and Lake Kinneret in Israel. The lake measures just more than 21 kilometers north to south and is only 43 meters deep. The lake is fed partly by underground springs related to the Jordan sector of the Great Rift Valley, but most of its water derives from the Jordan River which enters from the north. Its winding course can be seen draining the south end of the lake at right.

The Sea of Galilee in northern Israel is featured in this 15 Aug. 2009 image photographed by an Expedition 20 crew member on the International Space Station. Israel’s largest freshwater lake is also known as the Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Gennesaret, and Lake Kinneret in Israel. The lake measures just more than 21 kilometers north to south and is only 43 meters deep. The lake is fed partly by underground springs related to the Jordan sector of the Great Rift Valley, but most of its water derives from the Jordan River which enters from the north. Its winding course can be seen draining the south end of the lake at right.

Angular green and brown field patterns clothe most hillsides in this arid landscape. Bright roof tops are the hallmark of several villages in the area. The largest grouping of bright roofs and city blocks indicate the location of Tiberias, visible at bottom on the southwestern shore of the lake (named for the Roman Emperor Tiberius). War, earthquakes and even a flood in 1934 have resulted in heavy damage to the town in the last 2000 years, but it is now Israel’s most popular holiday destination. high res (1.0 M) low res (63 K)