Bordering Jordan to the east and Israel to the west is located the Dead Sea. Nestled in the mountainous terrain of the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea is situated at an elevation of approximately 423 metres (1,388 ft) below sea level, thereby making it Earth’s lowest elevation on land.
Undoubtedly, the macabre title of being the ‘Dead Sea’ is highly paradoxical. On the one hand it was one of the first health resorts ever in world history. Incidentally, it was Herod the Great who was the first person to reap the benefits of this natural health mecca.
On the other hand, there is a logical reason for it being named as ‘Dead Sea’. No form of life can survive in the Dead Sea. This is because the Dead Sea has an unusually high salt concentration . In fact, it is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world which signifies that the Dead Sea is a landlocked body of water with 33.7% salinity, roughly 8.6 times saltier than any ocean. Another important aspect of the Dead Sea due to the high levels of salinity is that people can easily float in it due to natural buoyancy.
The Dead Sea, was referred to as Salt Sea in the Old Testament. It has a rich religious history associated with it. In biblical history, the Dead Sea is renowned as a place of refuge for King David. Moreover, its main tributary, the Jordan River, is believed to the spot where Jesus Christ was baptized.
Interestingly, the Dead Sea is a major center for health research and treatment due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it has deposits of black mud which provides the skin with nourishing minerals. The bromide in the air near Dead Sea is also beneficial to the body. Also, the Dead Sea has at least 35 different kinds of mineral salts in massive quantities which have the potential to alleviate or even cure ailments ranging from skin problems to rheumatic diseases. And lastly, the reduced ultraviolet component and higher atmospheric pressure are known to have healing properties which provide tremendous relief to the ailing visitors.
The Dead Sea is renowned for its unique and spectacular atmosphere and is known to have bright and sunny days with temperatures in the range of 32c-39c throughout the year. The rainfall experienced in this region, annually, is less than 50 millimetres. Since the climate of the Dead Sea is dry and comfortable round the year, tourists can visit the place as per their convenience. The best way to reach Dead Sea is to land at Jerusalem from where Dead Sea is a day trip.
Recent studies have revealed that the Dead Sea might be on the verge of disappearing by the year 2050. The cause for the same is being attributed to the simple fact that limited water is brought to it via the Jordan River, due to human activities. Another major reason for this prediction is the fact that the Dead Sea is completely landlocked, resulting in the water brought by the Jordan River and its tributaries to be trapped until it evaporates. Now, activists are working towards limiting the development activities in the area surrounding the Dead Sea.
Here is some information about the tourist attractions around Dead Sea:
• Ein Gedi Hot Springs: Officially called the “Sea of Spa”, these were the first spa to be opened around the Dead Sea in 1963.
• Qumran: This is the spot where the oldest documentation of the Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered and still remain preserved after 2,000 years.
• The Baptism Site: Considered one of the most sacred places in the Christian world, the point of intersection of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea is identified as the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
Thus, when visiting the Dead Sea, tourists have a variety of activities to engage themselves in. From visiting archaeological sites, partaking the breathtaking landscape, indulging in luxury spas, Dead Sea caters to the desires of every kind of tourist.
