Israel Travel Guide » Jordan Valley
The Jordan Valley is the valley where the Jordan River flows through. This geographic region is part of the Great Rift Valley of Jordan. It is about 105 kilometers long and stretches from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the north bank of the Dead Sea in the south.
The Jordan Valley is characterized by being the lowest altitude region in earth. It reaches about 400 meters below sea level and it only receives rains from October to May. It is much more humid in the north than in the south, which is almost deserted.
Historically the Jordan Valley has always been a meeting place and very important for transit, both for human societies and for fauna and flora. Numerous archaeological remains on both sides of the river show the existence of commercial and cultural exchanges between the main towns of the valley. The archaeological finding include pottery, mosaics and iron tools from various historical periods.
The valley has a high symbolic value for the 3 great monotheistic religions, making it a major tourist destination. The Jordan River is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, where Christ was baptized. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to sites located on both banks of the Jordan, around the original place every year. The valley is also revered by Muslims as many of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad were buried near the river.
Matthew 3:5-6
Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Here we include sites and resources related to the Jordan Valley: