Lake Tiberias, also called Sea of Galilee , Arabic BUHAYRAT TABARIYA, lake on the southwestern Syrian-Palestinian border through which the Jordan River flows. From 1948 to 1967 Syria had access to its northeastern shoreline. It is famous for its biblical associations. Located 686 feet (209 m) below sea level, it has a surface area of 64 square miles (166 square km). The sea's maximum depth, which occurs in the northeast, is 157 feet (48 m). Measuring 13 miles (21 km) from north to south and 7 miles (11 km) from east to west, it is pear-shaped.

The Sea of Galilee is fed primarily by the Jordan River. Other streams and wadis (seasonal watercourses) flow into the lake from the hills of Galilee. In the rivers associated with the lake and at the bottom of the lake itself are many mineral deposits. Because of these deposits and because of the strong evaporation, the lake's waters are relatively salty.The lake's fish life has an affinity with that of the eastern African lakes. Fish species to be found include damselfish, scaleless blennies, catfish, mouthbreeders, and barbels. The lake was the main dispute in the recent peace talks between Israel and Syria, Israel's refusal to return a few kilometres on the northeastern shore brought the talks to a dead end in April 2000.