Dead Sea

 

The Dead Sea or the Jordon Dead Sea is a salt-water lake situated in the Middle East or southwest Asia. It is surrounded by Israel in the west and Jordan in the east. There are no living organisms in Dead Sea, hence the name Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Its surface is 418 meters (1,371 feet) below the sea level. It is 80 km long and 18 km wide with a total area of 1020 sq km.

 

Geographically, Dead Sea is a portion of the Great Rift Valley. Waters of the Jordan River and other smaller streams enter this sea. This lake does not have any outlet and the rapid evaporation rate reduces its water levels.

 

The Dead Sea is associated with biblical history as it houses five biblical cities of Adman, Zoar, Zebouin, Sodom and Gomorrah. People believe that historical cities such as Sodom as well as Gomorrah still lie beneath its waters.

 

High Salt and Mineral Content:

 

Being six times salty than any other ocean, the waters of Dead Sea include 27 percent of salts such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium bromide, sulfur, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride. It contains other minerals of potash, gypsum and bromine. These contents are very corrosive and heavy. This is the reason why there are no fish or plant lives in Dead Sea, except for a few microbes.

 

The typical mud present in Dead Sea cures many skin diseases such as psoriases, arthritis, headache and eczema. Its water nourishes and softens skin. Since the sea is enriched with such contents, several spa resorts have sprung up around its shore. Thousands of people flock to the Dead Sea each year to treat their skin ailments.

 

The presence of minerals, salts and other solids make the seawater denser because of which, individuals can easily lie on their back and float on the water surface. Most people visit Dead Sea to experience the novelty of floating on water.

 

Shrinking of the Sea:

 

Researchers have noticed that water level of this famous sea is shrinking by 30 cm each year. They predict that the sea may dry out by 2050, if this shrinkage continues at the same rate. Many pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies extract huge quantities of minerals and salts from Dead Sea to manufacture products. Moreover, many major industries in Jordan, Israel, and Palestine have diverted the streams of Dead Sea for commercial purposes.

 

Nevertheless, amid all such disputes, the Dead Sea is still the most impressive, natural expanse of water body in the world.