Situated between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is a true wonder of nature. There are many interesting things to learn about this unique part of the world. It has attracted countless visitors for thousands of years and has supplied us with a wide variety of products over its existence.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the more unusual properties of the Dead Sea, as well as some interesting facts about its history.
It’s Actually a Lake
Contrary to its name, the Dead Sea is indeed a saltwater lake. It also happens to be the deepest one in existence, going down 1004 feet at its deepest point. Perhaps even more astonishing is that this body of water is located an additional 1401 feet below sea level. This means that if you visit the Dead Sea, it’s probably as far down into the earth as you’ll ever go.
If you want to learn more about what exactly the Dead Sea is, deadsea.com is dedicated to providing a vast collection of interesting information on this topic. We recommend getting started with their article asking what is the Dead Sea. This website also contains recommendations on activities, accommodation, tips, and much more.
It is Indeed Dead
The extreme salt concentration of 33.7% or 9.7 times that of a normal ocean ensures that no life form can survive in the water, hence the name of this lake. However, rainy seasons decrease the salinity content to a small extent, allowing some bacteria to live in it.
Health Benefits
One would think that a body of water so extreme that nothing can survive in it would be the last place humans should come in contact with. Yet, the Dead Sea has an impressive number of applications in healthcare. The mineral content in the water works well for improving the overall health of human skin and hair, as well as helping common issues such as acne.
The minerals found in the mud also work as a muscle relaxant, which can help improve circulation in your body and prevent arthritis. These are just some of the many health benefits that have resulted in a countless number of products including contents from the Dead Sea in their ingredients.
It Spits Out Asphalt
The Greeks call the Dead Sea Lake Asphaltites because it quite literally spits out asphalt on a frequent basis. The resulting material was used by Egyptians in the mummification process.
The Great Rift Valley
As if one natural wonder wasn’t enough, the Dead Sea is located close to the Great Rift Valley, which is the longest geographic phenomenon in the world. Dwarfing the Grand Canyon, the Great Rift Valley measures over 4,000 miles in length and passes through 20 countries.
Conclusion
From Aristotle’s writings to The Bible, the Dead Sea is found throughout human history as a natural wonder that has left millions awestruck by its unreal properties. Would you visit the Dead Sea? Let us know in the comments below.