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Interesting Facts » What is the Dead Sea? Where is the Dead Sea
Located?
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What is the Dead Sea? Where is the Dead Sea Located?
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At the very lowest point on earth lies a natural wonder replete with a unique
ecosystem, breathtaking desert views, and mineral treasures that have been

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attracting visitors X Dead Sea. Located in the
Toolbar of years: The
for thousands
desert in southernGeneral
Israel, it is also the world’s deepest hypersaline lake.
Although the high salinity of the water makes it almost impossible to dive, in
visibility_off we will delve deep into
this article
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tory, become familiar with the biology and chemistry of this unique environ-
ment, and discover everything there is to do and where to stay in the area
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surrounding this natural gem.

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Table of contents:
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What is the Dead Sea?

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Where is the Dead Sea located?
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Why is the Dead Sea called the Dead Sea?
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the Dead Sea Mentioned in the Bible?
What lives in the Dead Sea?

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Why is the Dead Sea so salty?
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Why do you float in the Dead Sea?
Is it safe to swim in the Dead Sea?
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Visit the Dead Sea

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What is the Dead Sea?
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The Dead Sea is a salt lake located in the Judean desert of southern Israel,
bordered by Jordan to the East. With its origin dating back to some four mil-
lion years ago, it is one of the earth’s saltiest bodies of water and is the low-
est point on earth. Its arid desert climate features year-round sunny skies,
and relatively high temperatures, with little precipitation.

Dead Sea Israel .

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What is so special about the Dead Sea?

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The Dead Sea is located at the lowest point on earth, which is thought to be
the result of volcanic processes leading to a continuous dropping of land. It
Fonts
is one of the four saltiest bodies of water in the world. These special condi-
add_circle_outlineare an outcomeremove_circle_outlineof its extremespellcheck
tions
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geomorphological structure alongside a
harsh
sizedesert climate. These create constant dramatic changes that form a
size
landscape that is different from any other in the world. Also, the unique min-
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eral content of the air, land, and water in the area is globally renowned for its
therapeutic qualities, as is evident in that it has been a health resort for thou-
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years. Here are 10 facts about the Dead Sea that also make it
unique.
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How was the Dead SeaToolbar
formed? X

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There are contending theories about the Dead Sea formation. About 3.7 mil-
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lionDisable
years ago, the area nowMark title
known as the Jordan River Valley was repeatedly
headings
flooded by water from the Mediterranean Sea. The waters created a lagoon
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called the Sedom Lagoon, which connected to the sea through what is cur-
rently called the Jezreel Valley. Later on, about 2 million years ago, the land
betweenzoom_in
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in lagoon and the Mediterranean
Zoom out Sea rose to such an extent, that
the sea could no longer flood the area, leading to the creation of a land-
locked lake. Shifts Fonts
in tectonic plates led to the rising and dropping of the
floor of the valley, and the harsh desert climate led to gradual evaporation
and
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shrinking
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the lake,
fontuntil finally,
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font 70,000 years ago, what remained
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was the Dead Sea with its low elevation.
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What river feeds the Dead Sea?

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Until the end of the 1960s, the Jordan River was the only major water source
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flowing into the Dead Sea, although there are small perennial springs under
and around the lake, forming pools and quicksand pits along its edges. Today,
theformat_underlined
afterUnderline diversionlinks of the watersfont_downloadlinks the Sea of Galilee, the only incoming
Markfrom
source of water is from sulfur springs and waste water, along with rare driz-
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zles and flash floods.

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What format_underlined links

does
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cached water, the shores of the Dead Sea glitter with crystal-
As a large body of salt
lized sodium chloride, where the sun evaporates the water, in colors of white
and turquoise. It was formerly divided into two basins, but in the late 1970s
the surface dropped significantly, and the southern basin dried out. This drop
has changed the physical appearance of the Dead Sea. Most noticeably, the
peninsula of Al-Lisān gradually extended eastward, until the lake’s northern
and southern basins became separated by a strip of dry land. In addition, the
southern basin was eventually subdivided into dozens of large evaporation
pools (for the extraction of salt). Water is pumped into the southern basin
from the northern basin to keep it wet. The air is redolent of sulfur, rising
from its mud, which is rich in bromine. The northern beaches are full of mud,
whereas the southern beaches feature interesting salt formations. The water
of the Dead Sea looks almost oily due to its high salinity and density.

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What format_underlinedthe
are
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The Dead Sea’s geography has altered slightly throughout the years, and it is
currently 50 kilometers (31 miles) long and 15 kilometers (9 miles) wide at its
widest point. It is about 380 meters deep and contains about 40 billion gal-
lons of water.

Where is the Dead Sea located?

The Dead Sea is located in southwestern Asia, on the border between Israel
and Jordan. It is situated between the hills of Judea to the west and the
Transjordanian plateaus to the east.

In which country is the Dead Sea located? In which city is it located?

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The Dead Sea in southern Israel Xand borders Jordan. As it is deep
is locatedToolbar
within the desert,General
it is relatively far from major population centers. The
desert town of Arad is a mere forty kilometers away, but the nearest major
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city is Jerusalem,
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at about an hour’s
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Dead Sea Water Level

As a terminal lake, with no natural outlet, and no longer fed by the Jordan
River and its tributaries, the Dead Sea’s water level is determined by its bal-
ance – the amount of water entering it is smaller than the quantity removed.

What is the elevation of the Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea’s water level is measured at some 430 meters below sea level,
and it continues to drop by about 1 meter annually.

Is the Dead Sea the lowest place on earth?

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At 430 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth.
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Is the Dead Sea drying up?

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The water level Resolution

of the Dead Sea has been receding gradually, at an average
annual rate of about 110 cm. This causes some concern about whether the
zoom_inis drying up. The natural
Dead Sea
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under the harsh desert sun, but also because water is no longer being
FontsSea from former sources like the Jordan River.
pumped into the Dead

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Why is the Dead Sea called the Dead Sea?

Due to the extreme salinity of its water, the Dead Sea is a harsh environment
in which plants and animals cannot flourish.

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Why do they call it theToolbar
Dead Sea? X

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In various languages, the Dead Sea is referred to by different names, all re-
flective visibility_off
of its characteristics.
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title earliest known name is recorded in the
The
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Hebrew Bible, where it is referred to as “the Salt Sea”, due to its significantly
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high salt content. In the later Roman era, salt was a very highly valued com-
modity – Roman soldiers were paid in salt rather than money! This is also
zoom_in of the Latin word “salary”,
the source
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What is the meaning of Dead Sea?

Through early translations into foreign languages continued to use the origi-
nal name of “Salt Sea”, by the Roman era, visitors to Judea began calling it
“The Dead Sea”, as they noticed that the waters were devoid of all life forms,
whether plants or animals.

Aquatic organisms like fish and plants simply cannot thrive in the extremely
saline environment of the Dead Sea, and it was named for the lack of animal
and plant life. There are, however, minuscule quantities of bacteria and mi-

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crobial fungi Due to its desertXclimate, the surrounding area is
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in the water.
also barren, with a scarcity of plants and animals in the nearby region.
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visibility_off name was found in the

Yet another
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title book of Joshua in the Bible: “The Sea of
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the Plain”, which reflects the geography of the area: the water comes from
above (the mountainous springs around, and the River of Jordan from the
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north) and settles into the sea on the plain.
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Throughout the years, the Dead Sea has also been referred to by other
names, some moreFonts
colorful than others: the Primordial Sea, the East Sea, the
Sea of Lot, the Sea of the Arabah, the Sea of Sodom, the Stinking Sea, the
Sea add_circle_outline
of Asphalt, and remove_circle_outline
the Devil’s Sea. spellcheck
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Is the Dead Sea

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There are quite a few mentions of the Dead Sea in the Bible, and it has long
been associated with mysticism, wonderment, and religious significance. It
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has been referenced often to describe the X
Toolbar borders of Israel but is also known
in its own right. One famous reference is the story of Lot’s wife, which is set
General
in nearby Sodom. The slopes of Mount Sodom are located in the southeast
visibility_offthe Dead Sea, and theytitlefeature salt formations that look like pillars
corner of
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– which are traditionally referred to as Lot’s wife.
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Another famous mention is the Dead Sea prophecy, in which the prophet
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Ezekiel foresees
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a time when thezoom_out
Dead Sea would be transformed from saline
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waters that cannot host life, into fresh waters teeming with sea life.
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What lives in the Dead Sea?
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As can be surmised from its name, life in the Dead Sea is scarce. Its extreme
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salinity renders its waters uninhabitable to most higher organisms, like fish or
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plants. However, severalbrightness_low
types of microorganisms can survive, as they
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adapted Dark contrast
to hyper-salinity conditions. During very rainy periods, the addi-
tion of freshwater changes
Links the chemical makeup of the water in the Dead
Sea, increasing the number of microorganisms living there. There has been
format_underlinedof the water surface turning
evidence
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font_download a bright red – indicating the presence
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of a special kind of algae.

cachedof the Jordan Rift Valley serves as a migration corridor

The surrounding area
for various species, including storks and other birds of prey, as well as jungle
cats, marsh frogs, toads, crabs, snails, and other water insects. The mountain-
ous areas surrounding the Dead Sea are also a habitat for ibexes, wolves,
foxes, and hyenas.

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What minerals are in Mark
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The Dead Sea is globally renowned for the therapeutic effect of the minerals
in its waters and mud, which are especially high in concentration. Dead Sea
minerals in the water and mud have helped improve various skin conditions
such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and acne.

Why is the Dead Sea so salty?

With its very first origins in sea water flooding into the valley from the
Mediterranean, some of what makes the Dead Sea salty is the gradual evapo-
ration of water over the years, due to the desert climate. Its salt content is
derived from the erosion of rocks on land, with their salt ions driven by rivers
into the landlocked lake. Its extremely low elevation means that water cannot
escape the Dead Sea once it enters, and exposed to the intense heat, the wa-
ter evaporates more quickly, leading to an intense salinity.
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you floatToolbar Sea?
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visibility_off main must-do activities

One of the title on all tourists’ lists is floating in the Dead
Sea.Disable
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of the high concentration of salt, the water is much denser than
plain fresh water, meaning that our body weight is lighter – which causes us
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to float!

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Dead Sea Israel

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Dead Sea Salt Benefits

The minerals and salts exclusive to the Dead Sea have been luring visitors for
thousands of years, making it the world’s first health resort, dating back to
the time of Herod. The high concentration of antiseptic minerals in the mud
and salt of the Dead Sea makes it especially beneficial for skin diseases such
as psoriasis and vitiligo. Covering the body in mud extracted from the Dead
Sea helps the minerals become absorbed into the skin.

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Dead format_underlined Healing

Sea
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MarkTreatments

cachedare not only limited to the treatment of skin conditions.

Dead Sea treatments
Other medical conditions such as arthritis and asthma have been known to
benefit from the air and water of the Dead Sea. The oxygen rate is 5% higher
than the surrounding area, which also enhances rejuvenation and recovery.

Dead Sea mud benefits

Those visiting the Dead Sea may witness groups of people on the beach,
slathering their faces and bodies with mud. Long before soap was invented,
ancient Greeks and Romans used mud to clean their faces. They realized that
the salt of the Dead sea, and especially Dead Sea black mud contains an es-
pecially high concentration of salt and minerals, some of which are small
enough to penetrate the pores and nourish the skin. These minerals are be-
lieved to help improve blood circulation, smooth out wrinkles and rejuvenate
the skin to promote a healthy glow.

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Image: Nir Slakman & Vibe Israel

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Is it safe
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font_downloadDead Sea?
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cached salinity of water in the Dead Sea makes it very dense

We know that the high
and oily, making the experience of swimming in the Dead Sea feel like float-
ing. The temperature of the water is warm year-round, which makes it espe-
cially tempting to lay back and float on your back. If you follow a few basic
pointers, it is safe. Remember to stay hydrated – the weather can be ex-
tremely dry and hot. You may suffer unpleasant irritation if you let water in
your eyes or throat, so it’s not a good idea to dunk your head in the water.
Also, if you have any cuts or scrapes, they too may irritate due to the high
salinity of the water. It’s best to dip intermittently for 20 minutes or so.

Visit the Dead Sea

Have you decided to travel to the Dead Sea? Its beautiful desert environ-
ment, its unique healing qualities, and its status as an international wonder all
make it a definite stop on your list. Make sure to go during the offseason, as
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although the weather is Toolbar X winters are busy with groups
pleasant year-round,
aiming to enjoy the healing benefits of the sun and salt, and summers are
General
filled with local tourists. There are also plenty of activities in the surrounding
areas, sovisibility_off
come well-equipped totitle
hike, sunbathe, ride, swim, and relax.
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Dead Sea Hotels
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Most of the Dead Sea is unpopulated, but visitors can find a variety of ac-
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commodations
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font_downloadlinks on the north and southern shores –
Marklevels,
from campgrounds to five-star hotels. Most of the Dead Sea hotels are lo-
cated in the area of cached
Ein Bokek, offering proximity to the beach.

Dead Sea Shore

Not all of the Dead Sea beaches are accessible to sunbathers. In the Ein
Bokek area, near the hotels, there are several public beaches for an afternoon
spent sunbathing. Some of these beaches offer special tourist attractions like
music – it’s worth checking in advance to choose one beach or more for
your upcoming visit.

Dead Sea Tourism

Its unique location, its healing properties, its geological and historical back-
ground, and its surrounding ecosystem make the Dead Sea itself an irre-
sistible venue for tourists in the area. But if you’ve soaked up the sun and
floated in the water and are wondering what to do at the Dead Sea besides
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all these, there Toolbar
are plenty X nearby. Rent a bike and ex-
of other attractions
plore the windingGeneral
road leading along the shore. Hop into a jeep for an adren-
aline-filled adventure. Explore the nearby caves of Qumran or Ein Gedi
springs visibility_off
for a nature hike amongtitle
hidden waterfalls. Or, if you are especially
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adventurous, climb nearby mount Masada at dawn for a sunrise you’ll never
forget. AlthoughResolution
the Dead Sea may be most famous for its healing qualities,
there are loads of fun-packed days to be spent in and about the area.
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The Dead Sea – A Unique Desert Gem
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We often think about the Dead Sea as the lowest point on earth, but it has so
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much
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geographical fact. Whether you’re a his-
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torysize
buff who wants size
to follow in the footsteps of our ancient predecessors, a
nature lover out for some dramatic landscapes or you’re in search of the
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wealth of natural remedies offered by its air, water, and mud – the Dead Sea
may not contain much life – but is an experience that should be part of
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yours.

Links
Further Reading:
format_underlined
Underline links the Dead Sea Mark
font_download
links to hear about Masada, the nearby
Anyone visiting is sure
mountain that was testimony to a heroic rebellion over 2000 years ago. After
reading more about cached
the famous story behind this piece of history, you will en-
joy visiting the top of the mountain, whether by cable car or on foot, to see
the remains of the ancient city.

The Dead Sea wasn’t the only desert location mentioned frequently in the
Bible. The nearby oasis of Ein Gedi is a meeting of four freshwater rivers and
served as a hiding place for King David when he fled from Saul, thousands of
years ago. If you need a break from salt and mud and are looking for a re-
freshing hike lush with vegetation and complete with hidden waterfalls, step
into your swimsuit and hiking boots and get ready for a lovely day out in
nature.

If you want to get deep into the geology and science behind the formation of
the Dead Sea, read more on the Dead Sea on Wikipedia. A detailed explana-
tion of its geography can be found on Britannica, and if you’re wondering

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what this beautiful Toolbar looks like X
phenomenon from outer space, be sure to check
out NASA’s website for a breathtaking glimpse.
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The Dead Sea Works: Potash Mining
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Dead Sea is not that Dead After All?

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