Yarden (Hebrew). Al-'Urdunn (Arabic)

River Jordan yarden (Hebrew). al-'urdunn (Arabic)

The Jordan has an arid climate, has an area of 18,300 kilometre squared, length of 360 km and an annual flow of 1.4km 3/year. The Jordan River is by far the most frequently cited river in the Bible. A major river of Palestine, it originates north of the Sea of Galilee and flows through a deep rift valley to the Dead Sea. It is the lowest river in the world. The Jordan River is the principal river of the Holy Land; it flows majestically from the Sea of Galilee emptying into the Dead Sea. The river is 135 miles (21 Kilometres) long and has extraordinary religious significance to the Christian faith. It was in its waters that Jesus was baptised by St. John the Baptist. For Jesus said that whoever believes and is baptised in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, shall be saved. (Matthew 28:18-20). The Jordan River exists in 3 segments, beginning in the north: 1. From its multiple sources to Lake Huleh, about 7 miles (11 kilometres). 2. Lake Huleh to the Sea Of Galilee in Galilee, about 10 miles (16 kilometres). 3. The Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, about 65 miles (105 kilometres). The Jordan is clear, and in some places reaches a width of over twenty yards and a depth of nearly seventeen feet and is more than thirteen miles in length; a bridge, which connects Damascus with Galilee, crosses it. Jordan River - the major river in ancient Israel, from its main source at Banias in the foothill of Mount Hermon, the Jordan River runs south in a great crack in the earth's surface where two tectonic plates meet. The upstream part of the Jordan River is fed by the Dan source, by the Hasbani River which springs in Lebanon and by the Banias River which springs on the Golan Heights. This part of the river provides 40% of Israel's water supplies. The Yarmouk River which rises in Syria and has an annual flow of 500 million m? crosses Jordan and flows into the Jordan River 10 km south of the Lake of Tiberias. The tributaries from the eastern side of the downstream part of the river add 220 million m? and the eastern tributaries add 54 million m? to its annual flow. There is no agreement on the use of water between the states bordering the Jordan river basin although Israel, Jordan and the Occupied Territories have to face an annual water shortage of 300 to 400 million m?. Only 3% of the Jordan river basin is on Israeli territory (pre-1967 borders). The water of the Jordan contains a saline residuum, chlorine, sodium, sulfuric acid, and magnesia. The floods of the river occur from February to May. The Jordan ends in the Dead Sea. The volume of water brought to the Dead Sea by the Jordan is calculated to be, on the average, 883 cubic feet per second. In Biblical times the banks of the Jordan were the sites of many battles and it is thought to be the waters of the Jordan that were miraculously parted when the Israelites made their journey to freedom. This was also the scene of Elijah's ascent into Heaven.

Ms Nicky Anastasi –2003-Religion

In the New Testament, John the Baptist gave sermons on its banks and baptised in its waters. One of the most important events in the life of Jesus Christ was His baptism. For Christians, the point where the Jordan River runs out of the Sea of Galilee, is holy, considered to be the place where Jesus was baptised. Mark 1:9 "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan." Because of all this, the river is a symbol of purity and the way to the ; "Promised Land." The amount of water carried with the river has been decreasing, due to exploitation of the fresh water of Sea of Galilee and Yarmuk River of Syria. Jordan River also gets its source of water from the Sea of Galilee (Kineret) a fresh water lake 700-ft. below sea level. It is bordered with trees and shrubs. Tamarisk, rhododendron, Angus Castus, Apple of Sodom. Its waters contain twenty- two species of various fish; Capocta, Barbus Canis, Cyprinodon, Silurus. Fishing has always been essential to the local economy. Varieties of birds are found in the neighbouring thickets and with animals, vipers, scorpions, porcupines, jackals, wild boars, ibexes, and panthers. With peace signed between Israel and Jordan in 1995, more exploitation of the river water will be the result down the Ghawr Valley, especially with agriculture as recipient. More economical growth will also increase the need of water from Sea of Galilee. Therefore, the Jordan River is expected to carry less water in the future, with the drastic consequences this will have on the Dead Sea.

Ms Nicky Anastasi –2003-Religion