The Dead Sea, one of the most unique places on earth, has its eastern coast in Jordan and the western coast in Israel and the West Bank. It is the lowest point in the world at 394 m below sea level and temperatures and humidity are always higher than elsewhere in Jordan or Israel. This "sea" is a salt lake.
For millennia people have been coming to the Dead Sea, drawn by the medicinal qualities of the mineral waters. The waters have beautiful crystalline formations on the shoreline. The high concentration of salt is not a reulst of it being below sea level, but rather is caused by the high evaporation rate, which has, over the years, led to the build up of salts.
The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, has attracted visitors from around the Mediterranean basin for thousands of years. Biblically, it was a place of refuge for King David. The Dead Sea seawater has a density of 1.240 kg/L, which makes swimming similar to floating. A swimming session turns into a flotation session, which is an interesting experience especially for those who can not swim.
After the obligatory float, don't miss the ruins at Masada, which is probably Israel's most enigmatic attraction. Though not as well frequented by travellers, the hiking tracks and springs of Ein Gedi National Park also merit some exploration. The climate at the Dead Sea varies depending on the season. Temperatures during the tourist season can become extremely warm, ranging from 30°C to 40°C in the summer with 330 days of sunshine per year.
This famed health destination, at the world’s lowest dry point, is known for helping with rheumatic and skin problems. The Israeli side of the Dead Sea is a possible day trip from Jerusalem, Eilat or Tel Aviv. There are three main road entry routes into the Dead Sea area.
7 June, 2013
A.I.
