Dead Sea

Description

The Dead Sea, 55 km (34 miles) southeast of Amman in the Great Rift Valley, is one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, the lowest body of water on earth, the lowest point on earth's surface, and the world's richest source of natural salts.

The Dead Sea got its name in antiquity due to its uniquely salty water, which kills off virtually all marine life: seawater is about three or four percent salt, but Dead Sea water is over thirty percent. It is fed mainly by the River Jordan, flowing south from the hills of Moab and Gilead, but due to the geological upheavals it has no outflow; instead, water evaporates off the surface at the rate of millions of litres a day.

It is normally as calm as a millpond, with barely a ripple disturbing its surface, but it can become turbulent. During most days, however, the water shimmers under a beating sun. Where rocks meet its lapping edges, they become snow-like, covered with a thick, gleaming white deposit that gives the area a strange and surreal sense.

Its natural beauty and uniqueness makes it an unforgttable "swimming" experience - because of its salinity - it's impossible to sink!  A sense of unreality comes over you, as you float your worries away, admiring the breathtaking sunset over the distant hills and the reflection of the sun's rays that look like ribbons of fire on the water.