The Dead Sea lies between Isreal and Jordan. Its basin lies some 1,300 feet (400m) below sea level, making it the lowest body of water in the world. The lake is about 50miles(80km) long and 11 miles (12km) wide. Its surface area is about 394 square miles (1,020sq km). The Dead Sea in the world’s saltiest natural lake. Its near-surface waters are more than eight times as saline as the ocean and the lake’s salt concentration increases with depth. The extreme salinity allows humans to float easily, but it prevents all living things except bacteria from imhabiting the lake.

It is known in the Bible as the ‘Salt Sea’ or ‘ Sea of the Arabah’. Its named so because it high mineral content allows nothing to live in its waters. Other post- Biblical names for the Dead Sea include the “ Sea of sodom’, the ‘Sea of Lot’, the ‘Sea of Asphalt’ and the ‘Stinking Sea’.

The Dead Sea is rich in minerals including salt, potash, bromides and bitumen, or native asphalt.’Temparatures at the Dead Sea are very hot in summer and mild in winter.

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