Jordan River

The Jordan River (in traditional English River Jordan) (Hebrew: נְהַר הַיַּרְדֵּן‎ nehar hayarden; Arabic: نَهْر الْأُرْدُنّ‎ nahr al-urdun) is a 251-kilometre (156 mi)-long river in West Asia flowing to the Dead Sea. Israel and the West Bank border the river to the west, while the Golan Heights and Jordan lie to its east. Both Jordan and the West Bank take their names from the river.

The river has a major significance in Judaism and Christianity and, to a more moderate degree, Islam, as the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where Jesus of Nazareth was baptised by John the Baptist.

Physical characteristics

Tributaries

The streams coming together to create the River Jordan in its upper basin are, west to east:

Jordan River (Virginia)

Coordinates: 38°45′36″N 78°1′41″W / 38.76000°N 78.02806°W / 38.76000; -78.02806 The Jordan River is a 12.5-mile-long (20.1 km)headwater tributary of the Rappahannock River in northern Virginia in the United States. It rises in Shenandoah National Park and flows for its entire length in northern Rappahannock County. The river flows generally eastwardly and joins the Rappahannock River from the west. Via the Rappahannock, it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.

See also

References

Jordan River (New Zealand)

The Jordan River is a minor river in the South Island of New Zealand.

It flows from the northern flanks of the Inland Kaikoura Range into the Awatere River and lies within the borders of the Molesworth Station.

Coordinates: 41°50′S 173°44′E / 41.833°S 173.733°E / -41.833; 173.733

Jordan River (Victoria)

The Jordan River, a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, is located in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria.

Location and features

The Jordan River rises near The Springs, south of Woods Point, part of the Great Dividing Range. The headwaters drain a marginal area of the Big River State Forest near Jordan Gap, Jordan Cutting and McAdam Gap. The river flows generally south by east, much of its course through the Thomson State Forest, before reaching its confluence with the Thomson River within the northern reaches of the Thomson Reservoir. The river descends 732 metres (2,402 ft) over its 22-kilometre (14 mi) course.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries describes the river as:

European history

The Jordan Valley was intensively mined for gold during the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. As supplies were erratic and high prices were being charged, a group of businessmen from Sale posted a reward in eary 1862 to cut a reliable supply track into the Jordan goldfields. Claims were made by Thomas McEvoy, Fred Porter, Archie Campbell and William Anderson, with McEvoy's Track awarded the main prize money and being the one used by most carters and miners.

Jordan River (Michigan)

The Jordan River is a 24.9-mile-long (40.1 km)stream in the northwestern part of the lower peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the largest tributary of Lake Charlevoix. The Jordan's headwaters rise from springs in the upper Jordan River Valley northeast of Mancelona in Antrim County. The Jordan River was the first river to be designated in Michigan's Natural Rivers Program.

The Jordan River is well known for its world-class brook trout fishing and for its scenic canoe trips. The headwaters are accessible by many foot and ATV trails.

Course

The Jordan River is a beautiful place to visit and relax for its scenic areas. The Jordan River rises at 45°04′28″N 84°54′28″W / 45.07444°N 84.90778°W / 45.07444; -84.90778 in central Warner Township in northeast Antrim County. It winds generally to the southwest, cutting across the northwest corner of Star Township before flowing west through northern Chestonia Township. It then turns to the north, flowing through Jordan Township, the northeast corner of Echo Township, then into South Arm Township in Charlevoix County and emptying into the south arm of Lake Charlevoix at 45°09′13″N 85°07′48″W / 45.15361°N 85.13000°W / 45.15361; -85.13000 in East Jordan.

Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)

Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan and part of the Beaver Island archipelago. Once home to a unique American religious monarchy, the island is now a popular tourist and vacation destination.

Beaver Island lies approximately 32 miles (51 km) from the city of Charlevoix on the mainland, and can only be reached by air or boat. The island has two airports, one public and one private. The ZIP code is 49782. Beaver Island is also the name of an unincorporated community comprising the settled areas of the island.

History

The Mormon kingdom on Beaver Island

Although Beaver Island is known mostly today for its beaches, forests, recreational harbor, and seclusion, at one time it was the site of a unique Mormon kingdom.

The island's association with Mormonism began with the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Most Latter Day Saints considered Brigham Young to be Smith's successor, but many others followed James J. Strang. Strang founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), claiming it to be the sole legitimate continuation of the church "restored" by Joseph Smith. His organization still exists today (though not on Beaver Island), numbering up to 300 adherents. His group initially settled in Voree, Wisconsin, setting up a community there which remains to this day.

Jordan Village, Connecticut

Jordan is a village in the town of Waterford, Connecticut, and the historic center of the town. It was named from the Jordan River. The village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Jordan Village Historic District in 1990. The district includes 58 contributing buildings and one other contributing site over an area of 57 acres (23 ha). It includes examples of Greek Revival and Queen Anne architectural styles.

Location

Jordan Village is located on land known historically as Jordan Plain, a flat land area at the head of Jordan Cove, an estuary off Long Island Sound. The historic district surrounds the intersection of Rope Ferry Road and North Road.

See also

References