The
Dead Sea
البحر الميت
The most spectacular site, is the Dead Sea, which at 400
meters below sea level is the lowest body of water on earth.
Surrounded by arid hills, as devoid of life as the sea itself, the
Dead Sea glistens under a burning sun with barely a ripple
disturbing its surface. The rocks that meet its lapping edges
become
covered with a snow-like thick gleaming deposit of white
salt. It is this extremely high concentration of salt that gives
the Dead Sea waters their renowned therapeutic qualities and their
buoyancy. Because the salt content is eight times that of most
world's oceans, you can float in the Dead Sea without even trying.
Swimming in the Dead Sea is a truly unique experience not to be
missed.
The Dead Sea, is known in Arabic as "Bahr
Lott" (the Sea of Lot). As the name suggests, the Dead Sea is
entirely devoid of plant and animal life. This is due to an
extremely high content of salt and other minerals, 350 gm of salt
per kilogram of water, as compared to about 40 gm in the world's
oceans. These natural elements give the waters of the Dead Sea
certain curative properties, recognized since the days of Herob
the Great over two thousand years ago.
The Dead Sea is also famous geographically as
"the lowest point on earth", lying some 400 meters below
sea level. In addition the historical significance of the
"Salt Sea", as it was referred to in the Bible, the Dead
Sea in an important and rich source of minerals essential for
agricultural and industrial development, as well as for the
treatment of various medical conditions such as psoriasis.
Visitors to the Dead Sea come always with an unforgettable
swimming experience, as the high density of the water makes
sinking virtually impossible. While marine enthusiasts will find a
paradise in Aqaba, the Dead Sea is a great place to catch up on
your reading.
The only resort on the eastern banks of the
Dead Sea is government-owned, and located at Sweimeh. There is a
resthouse, showers and a few facilities for visitors. Newly built
is Salt Land Village, nicknamed The Basement of the World. Its
various buildings include the Dead Sea Spa Hotel, assorted
bungalows and the German Medical Centre which is aimed at helping
patients with skin diseases, using the healing powers of the Dead
Sea. As well as the highly saline water, are other therapies
including black mud, highly oxygenous air treatment and filtered
sunrays. The centre has its own access to the Dead Sea and also
provides medical assistance on request.
