Jordan River, Middle Eastern river in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria
The Jordan River originates at Mount Hermon and flows southward through the Hula Valley before entering the Sea of Galilee and continuing its course toward the Dead Sea. Its channel winds through a depression flanked by hills and cultivated plains, with vegetation and reeds lining the waterway in places.
Already in antiquity the river served as a natural boundary between different kingdoms and peoples, a role it retained across centuries. After 1948 it became the ceasefire line between Israel and Jordan, a function that shifted following the West Bank occupation in 1967.
Pilgrims from around the world gather along the banks today to perform baptisms and religious rituals rooted in biblical stories. Small chapels and baptism sites mark places where believers touch the water, pray, or step into the river wearing white robes.
Several border crossings link both sides of the river, including the Allenby Bridge and the Sheikh Hussein Bridge, which allow travelers to pass between Israel and Jordan. Visitors are advised to check current opening times and visa requirements before arriving, as access conditions can vary.
At the end of its course the river reaches the lowest point of any river system on Earth, located 416 meters (1365 feet) below sea level at the Dead Sea. This extreme elevation drop between source and mouth shapes the entire landscape along its path.
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