the Middle East is the Jordan River.It is revered around the world, because it is associated with many important historical events.The river itself Jordan begins at Mount Hermon, which is located in the northern part of the Syrian Golan Heights.Thanks to abundant rainfall, the pond is provided deepness.
rain and snow falls regularly on the slopes of Hermon, and through its cracked melt and rain water are way out in the form of springs.
bit of history titles
Jordan River got its name centuries ago.Most historians and scientists now argue about why it is so named.General opinion is that the name comes from the Hebrew word "yered."Translated into Russian, it means "descent", "fall".This is mentioned in the source is given.
Overall etymology offers enough options translate the name of the river.All of them come from the Semitic languages.Most of the variations represent a "ditch" or "noise."Some scholars believe that the name has Indo-European roots.This opinion is shared by Vladimir Ivanov.His supporters believe that the river was named Indo-Iranians, who once visited her origins.
figures and the river
Jordan River has a length of 252 km and its basin area of more than eighteen thousand square kilometers.It is believed that it unnavigable.
Source and channel
asking questions about the whereabouts of the Jordan River, primarily have in mind the location of its source.It is located in the Golan Heights, in what is now Syria.There are three main source: Hermon, or Banias, Ledzhan, or Dan, Hasbani and Nahr or Snir.
most impressive source called Dan.It is believed that it is mainly filled river.The area where it is located, is now a national park of Tel Dan.It got its name thanks largely to this spring.And the source was renamed in honor of one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Once in the river Jordan joined three spring, forming a channel, it flows into Lake Hula.It is often possible to meet his other name, for example, or the Hula Meer.Flowing further, the river flows into the Lake of Gennesaret.It is also sometimes called Chinnereth, Sea of Galilee, or Lake Tiberias Kinneretskoe.
Its area reaches 167 square kilometers, and the volume exceeds four billion cubic meters.The lake itself is quite interesting.Its water is considered safe to drink, but it tastes more salty.The lake itself was located approximately 213 meters below sea level.
next body of water in the path of the river is the Dead Sea.
inflows
asking questions about the whereabouts of the Jordan River, often refers to the variety and its tributaries.The largest of them is called Yarmuk and Jabbok, which flows from the east coast, and Harod - from the west.
Jordan River, Israel feed and water them.Always it was the main artery of the country.Once its impressive pool different vegetation, and was rich in fauna.Now, unfortunately, the East has become a desert.Once a rich pool area includes only grove of reeds, rarer eucalyptus and date palms.
In the hottest months of the year all the vegetation dries up under the scorching sun.However, in spite of everything, the Jordan River is extremely important for the entire Middle East.
sacred river
For every believer is a sacred place where its waters of the Jordan River.The baptism of Jesus Christ, according to legend, it was here, though not all historical sources agree with this statement.
The river itself is regularly mentioned in the Old and New Testaments.The Torah is often a miraculous place where the river Jordan.The baptism of Jesus was on its banks, and the story says that the Baptist John the Baptist appeared.The event itself happened near the city of Jericho.
Where the river Jordan, you can constantly meet many pilgrims.People believe that the water pose a miraculous power, so come from all over the world.There is carried out the procedure for bathing.
history and politics
should be understood that the Jordan River, photos of which can be found below, plays an important role in the Middle East.Its value lies in the historical and geopolitical sense.That is why the desire to seize the right to possess its waters often led to numerous conflicts, which sometimes grew into full-fledged war.
first mention of the Jordan River were recorded in the thirteenth century BC.This document is the Papyrus Anastasi.Also, special attention is paid to her Roman historian Tacitus.He said that the Jordan River is extremely important, and her father is Mount Hermon.
In ancient times, the river is often a kind of natural border to the east of Canaan.Somewhat later formed such states the king of Bashan, as the kingdom of Og and Sihon.Then the river began to represent a kind of border between them.After some time, the area was given to the tribe of Manasseh, Reuben and Gad.Thus, the river began to represent not only the interstate, but the tribal border.
The story goes that the Israeli tribe gained territory on both sides of the river.However, all possible bridges and crossings over her were important places that often have military significance.Their capture often became decisive in the battle.This is how Gideon defeated midianitami, Ehud - the king of Moab, Jephthah - above the knee Ephraim.
Have survived a lot of sources that mention Jordan.One of these was the mosaic map.It was created back in the sixth century.It is a view of the river, the ferry port, the city and the numerous details.Now you can see in Madaba.
Archaeology
Interestingly, the Jordan River is not always considered a place of baptism of Jesus Christ.Previously, such is Eizariya, which is located nearby.However, archaeological sources denied this.It clarifies that Jesus went through Eizariya and went to the place where he was baptized.
it was mentioned also in the writings of many who wrote the pilgrims traveling to the Holy places.It was far from a time when the Byzantine Empire was in full bloom.All sources referred to Greek column and a cross on its top.That it represents a place where Jesus Christ was baptized.This symbol has been set at the time of early Christianity.
However, the place itself was found not at once.This will require numerous archaeological studies.It should be remembered that the Jordan River in the fifth century, somewhat changed its course.It happened at the confluence of the Dead Sea.Scientists have found the place of baptism after many years.
The base of the column was also found.It was located near the east bank of the river at a distance of about 40 meters, which is fully consistent with historical sources and writings of the pilgrims.
also were discovered the remains of three churches.All of them were built on the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the fifth and sixth centuries.Prostroen their emperor by the name of Anastasia.All the churches were named in honor of John the Baptist.
Travel Tips
Tourists come to the Jordan River, not only in the pilgrimage purposes.Very often, they are guided by a simple interest.If you wish, you can ride on a kayak on the rough river.This entertainment is not the most expensive, but it will give a lot of bright emotions.
In Jordan you can find wild ducks and swans refined.They are not afraid of people, so you can feed them or take a picture.In addition, if you visit the banks of the Jordan, you can enjoy the amazing scenic views, as well as the variety of cypress groves.The exceptions are the hottest months of the year.
