Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point of earth, lying 1,290-feet below sea level. It is located between the Judean Hills on the west and the Hills of Moab on the east. It is 48 miles long, and 11 miles at the widest point, and is fed by the Jordan River.

The Dead Sea contains 30 percent of sodium, magnesium, calcium and other salts, it has the highest mineral content of any body of water in the world.

Nothing grows in the immediate area, and there is no animal life, hence its name, the Dead Sea. Due to the high salt content, a person can lay on top of the water and find it impossible to sink. The Sea is known to have some healing qualities. Floating on the water has been helpful to people with muscular problems or skin diseases.

The prophet Ezekiel says that there will be a time in the future when the Dead Sea will be healed of its salty waters by a stream flowing eastward from the Temple, and that the Sea will teem with fish. Today there are resort hotels in some areas along the shore, and crystallized salt formations that protrude from the water, and with Qumran, En-Gedi and Masada along its western shore, the Dead Sea is a tourist attraction.