Where is the Dead Sea?
The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its shore is the lowest place on land on Earth, more than 430 meters below sea level.
The Dead Sea lies in the Jordan Rift Valley and is fed mainly by the Jordan River. It has no outlet, so water leaves only by evaporation, leaving salt and minerals behind. Its water is about 34 percent salt, roughly ten times saltier than the ocean, which makes it hard for fish and plants to live there.
The very salty water is so dense that people float easily on the surface. The mud and minerals are popular for spa treatments. The surrounding area includes historic sites such as Masada, an ancient fortress, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the 1940s.
A shrinking sea
The Dead Sea's level is falling by about one meter per year, because much of the water from the Jordan River is used for farming and drinking. As the water retreats, thousands of sinkholes have opened along its shores. Several projects have been proposed to help stabilize it.
Did You Know?
Despite its name, the Dead Sea is not completely lifeless. Scientists have found microbes that thrive in its salty water and in freshwater springs on its floor.