Galilee facts for kids
Galilee (pronounced Gal-ih-lee) is a beautiful and historic region in northern Israel and southern Lebanon. It's like a puzzle made of two main parts: the Upper Galilee and the Lower Galilee. There are also smaller areas like the Western Galilee and the Galilee Panhandle.
This region stretches from the Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa hills in the south, all the way up to the Litani River in the north. To the west, it meets the Mediterranean Sea near Acre, and to the east, it reaches the Jordan Valley. Sometimes, other nearby areas like the Jezreel Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the Hula Valley are also considered part of Galilee.
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What's in a Name? The Story of Galilee's Name
The name Galilee first appeared in ancient Egyptian writings around the 15th century BC. These writings described military events led by Tuthmosis III against kings in the Canaan region.
In ancient Hebrew, the name Biblical Hebrew: גָּלִיל, romanized: gālíl means 'district' or 'circle'. The Hebrew Bible even mentions "Galilee of the nations," referring to people from different backgrounds who lived there.
The Arabic name for the region is الجليل, Al-Jalil, which means "illustrious" or "grand." Some believe this name also comes from the Hebrew word.
Where is Galilee? Exploring its Borders and Nature
Galilee is mostly a rocky area, with hills reaching heights of 500 to 700 meters (about 1,600 to 2,300 feet). It has several tall mountains, like Mount Tabor and Mount Meron. These mountains often have cooler temperatures and more rain.
Because of this climate, many different plants and animals thrive here. Every year, many birds fly through the Hula Valley on their long journey from colder places to Africa and back. The region's streams, waterfalls (especially in Upper Galilee), green fields, and colorful wildflowers make it a popular place for visitors.
The Upper Galilee gets a lot of rain (900–1200 mm or 35–47 inches) and has mild temperatures. This allows special plants to grow, like prickly juniper, Lebanese cedar (found in a small group on Mount Meron), cyclamens, and paeonias.
A Journey Through Time: The History of Galilee
Ancient Times: Galilee in the Iron Age
According to the Bible, the Israelites named Galilee. It was the land of the Tribe of Naphtali and Tribe of Dan. Sometimes, it was simply called "Naphthali."
The Bible also tells us that King Solomon gave twenty cities in Galilee to his friend, King Hiram I of Sidon. Later, during the Iron Age II, Galilee was part of the Kingdom of Israel (Samaria). This kingdom eventually fell to the Assyrians. After the Assyrian conquest in the 8th century BCE, many local Israelite people were taken away, and the area became less populated for a while.
Greek and Hasmonean Periods: New Settlements
Before the Hasmonean rulers, Galilee had fewer people, mostly living in large, strong towns on the edges of the valleys. During this time, the Upper Galilee was home to people who followed ancient pagan beliefs and had strong connections to the Phoenician coast.
Later, the Hasmonean kingdom expanded, and much of Galilee was taken over by Aristobulus I around 104–103 BCE. After this, many Jewish people moved into the area, and new towns and villages grew.
Roman Times: Life and Changes in Galilee
In the early Roman period, Galilee was mainly Jewish. People followed Jewish customs, using special stone vessels and ritual baths for purity. More Jewish people settled in the region after the Roman conquest in 63 BCE. Large towns like Tiberias were built. By the end of the first century CE, Galilee was filled with many small towns and villages.
Galilee's economy under Roman rule was strong, thanks to farming, fishing, and special crafts. Farmers grew olives, and many towns around the Sea of Galilee benefited from fishing. In places like Magdala, people salted and dried fish to sell to other regions. Galilee also had special workshops, like those in Shikhin, which made most of the region's storage jars.
Life in Galilee during this time could be challenging, with people often moving between towns and villages for work or family reasons. In 4 BCE, a rebel named Judah caused trouble in Sepphoris, Galilee's largest city. Later, Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, became the ruler of Galilee. He was a Roman client ruler, meaning he governed the region but answered to the Roman Empire. Antipas rebuilt Sepphoris and founded the new city of Tiberias, which became important cultural centers.
During the Great Jewish Revolt in 66 CE, there were major conflicts between Jewish people and the Roman Empire. The Roman army, led by General Vespasian, fought in Galilee. Many cities were destroyed, and many people were taken captive.
Byzantine Era: Shifting Populations
Judaism thrived in Galilee during the late second and early third centuries CE. Important Jewish texts, like the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud, were created and studied here, especially in Tiberias.
However, during the fourth century, the population in Galilee decreased. By the middle of the fourth century, the creation of the Jerusalem Talmud suddenly stopped. Over time, the population changed, with more Christians settling in the area. Some Jewish villages were abandoned, and new Christian villages were built. Despite these changes, Christian and Jewish communities often lived in separate villages.
Early Muslim and Crusader Times: New Rulers
After the Muslim conquest of the Levant in the 630s, Galilee became part of the Islamic empire. Over time, more Arab people settled in the region, and Islam became more common. By the 9th century, many inhabitants were Arabs from the Amila tribe.
Later, the Shia Fatimids took control in the 10th century. A new religion, Druze, formed during this time, with centers in Mount Lebanon and parts of Galilee. During the Crusades, Galilee became an important Crusader area called the Principality of Galilee.
Ottoman Rule: A Time of Change
During the early Ottoman era, Galilee was governed as the Safad Sanjak. After Jewish people were asked to leave Spain in 1492, many came to the Ottoman Empire and settled in Galilee. The city of Safed became a global center for cloth making and Jewish learning. Today, Safed is still one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities and a hub for kabbalah studies.
In the mid-17th century, there were conflicts among different groups in Galilee and Mount Lebanon, which caused destruction in the region. In the mid-18th century, an Arab leader named Daher al-Umar ruled Galilee for 25 years before Ottoman authorities took control again.
In the 1830s, Galilee was ruled by Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt for a short time. During this period, there were local uprisings and challenges, including an event where the Jewish community in Safed faced difficulties. Major earthquakes in 1834 and 1837 also caused widespread damage and loss of life in many towns.
By the early 20th century, Galilee was still part of the Ottoman Empire, administered from Beirut Vilayet.
Modern Galilee: Part of Israel Today
After the World War I, the Ottoman Empire was defeated, and Galilee came under British rule as part of Mandatory Palestine from 1923.
After a major conflict in 1948, most of Galilee became part of Israel. Many people moved away, but a large Arab community, including Muslims, Druze, and Christians, continued to live there.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, there were conflicts along the border with Lebanon. Groups from Lebanon sometimes launched attacks into Galilee. This was a time of unrest in southern Lebanon, with different groups fighting. Israel carried out military actions in Lebanon to protect its citizens and support allied groups. From 1985 to 2000, there were ongoing conflicts along the border. Groups in Lebanon, like Hezbollah, sometimes launched rockets into Galilee, and Israeli forces were involved in the area.
In May 2000, Israeli troops left southern Lebanon. However, clashes between Hezbollah and Israel continued along the border. In 2006, a significant conflict occurred, with many rockets launched from Lebanon into Galilee and other parts of northern Israel.
Who Lives in Galilee? A Look at its People
In 2006, about 1.2 million people lived in Galilee. About 47% of them were Jewish. The Jewish Agency has worked to encourage more Jewish people to settle in Galilee.
The largest cities in Galilee include Acre, Nazareth, Safed, and Tiberias. The port city of Haifa is an important business center for the whole region.
Because Galilee is so hilly, many people live in small villages connected by a few roads. Farming and tourism are the main ways people make a living. New industrial parks are also being built, creating more jobs.
The majority of the Arab population in Galilee are Muslims. There are also significant communities of Druze and Christians (including Maronites). Bedouins and Circassians also live in Galilee.
The central part of Galilee, which includes Nazareth and Sakhnin, has an Arab majority. The "Heart of the Galilee" is around Karmiel and Sakhnin. The eastern part of Galilee, including the Galilee Panhandle and the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is almost entirely Jewish. This area includes two of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, Safed and Tiberias.
The southern part of Galilee, including the Jezreel Valley, is also mostly Jewish. The mountainous Upper Galilee has a small Jewish majority, with many Arabs, mainly Druze and Christians. Since 2011, many Haredi (Ultraorthodox) Jews have been moving to Galilee due to rising housing prices in central Israel.
Exploring Galilee: Fun for Tourists
Galilee is a very popular place for tourists, both from Israel and other countries. People love its beautiful scenery, fun activities, and delicious food. Many Christian pilgrims visit Galilee because the New Testament says that many of Jesus's miracles happened around the Sea of Galilee. These include walking on water, calming a storm, and feeding five thousand people in Tabgha.
Many other places important in the biblical stories are also in Galilee, such as Megiddo, Mount Tabor, and Hazor.
A popular hiking trail called yam leyam (Hebrew for 'sea-to-sea') takes hikers from the Mediterranean Sea through the Galilee mountains to the Sea of Galilee. In 2011, Israel opened the Jesus Trail, a 60-kilometer (40-mile) hiking path for Christian pilgrims. This trail connects places important to the lives of Jesus and his disciples, like Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. It ends at Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Many families in kibbutzim and moshavim offer "Zimmerim," which are like bed and breakfasts. Throughout the year, Galilee hosts many festivals, especially in autumn and spring. These include the Acre Festival of Alternative Theater, the olive harvest festival, music festivals, and the Karmiel Dance Festival.
Delicious Food of Galilee
The food in Galilee is very diverse and often lighter than in other parts of the country. Dairy products are popular, especially Safed cheese, which comes from the Upper Galilee mountains. Herbs like thyme, mint, parsley, basil, and rosemary are used in almost everything, from dips to meat and fish.
In eastern Galilee, freshwater fish like Tilapia from the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River are very common. Fish is often grilled with herbs like thyme and rosemary, or stuffed with oregano and served with lemon. A special dish is baked Tilapia flavored with celery, mint, and lots of lemon juice. Baked fish with tahini is also popular in Tiberias.
Galilee is also known for its olives, pomegranates, and wine. Labneh (a type of yogurt cheese) with Za'atar (a spice mix) is often served with pita bread. Meat stews with wine, pomegranates, and herbs are also common. Galilean kubba (a dish made of bulgur, minced onions, and ground meat) is usually flavored with cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, pomegranate juice, and pine nuts. Kebabs are made in a similar way, sometimes using carob instead of pomegranate juice. Beef is more popular than lamb here, and dates are a favorite treat in the warmer eastern Galilee.
Different Parts of Galilee
The way Galilee is defined can change depending on whether you're looking at its geology, geography, or history. Generally, it's divided into Upper and Lower Galilee. Today, part of the Upper Galilee is in southern Lebanon, and the rest is in Israel. The Israeli Galilee is often split into these areas:
- Upper Galilee stretches from the Beit HaKerem Valley north into southern Lebanon. Its eastern border is the Hula Valley and the Sea of Galilee. To the west, it reaches the Coastal Plain.
- Lower Galilee covers the area north of the Jezreel, Harod, and Beit She'an Valleys, and south of the Beit HaKerem Valley. Its eastern border is the Jordan Rift Valley. It includes cities like Nazareth and the village of Cana.
- The "Galilee Panhandle" (called Etzba HaGalil, or "Finger of Galilee," in Hebrew) is a narrow strip of land in the east, between the Lebanese border and the Golan Heights. It includes towns like Metulla and Qiryat Shemona, and parts of the Dan and Banias rivers.
Some other areas are sometimes seen as separate from Galilee, like the entire Jordan Valley (including the Sea of Galilee) and the Jezreel, Harod, and Beit She'an valleys.
- The Hula Valley
- The Korazim Plateau
- The Sea of Galilee and its valley
- The Jordan Valley from the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee down to Beit She'an
- The Jezreel Valley, including the Harod Valley in the east
- The Beit She'an Valley
- Mount Gilboa
- The Western Galilee is a modern Israeli term. It refers to the coastal plain west of the Upper Galilee, and often includes the western parts of Upper and Lower Galilee.
Images for kids
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A panorama from Ari Mountain in the Upper Galilee
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A panorama of the Harod Valley, which is part of the Jezreel Valley
See also
In Spanish: Galilea para niños
- Galilean
- Northern District (Israel)
- Koenig Memorandum
- Ahuzat Naftali
