GALILEE, located in northern Palestine, was a prosperous and well populated province in Bible times. To this day its geographic features are inviting​—the deep blue Sea of Galilee, the rugged northern terrain, and the fertile plains. Here in this picturesque region, Jesus spent most of his earthly life, being raised in the Galilean city of Nazareth.​—Mt 2:21-23; Lu 2:51, 52.

Farming, sheepherding, and fishing were common occupations among the Galileans, and this is reflected in many of Jesus’ parables.

SURROUNDED by hills in northern Palestine lies the freshwater inland lake called the Sea of Galilee, Sea of Tiberias, or Lake of Gennesaret. Set like a jewel in a deep basin, the lake is located some 210 m (700 ft) below sea level. It is about 21 km (13 mi) long and about 12 km (7.5 mi) wide. Both on and around this lake many outstanding events of Jesus’ ministry took place.