If you’re visiting Israel, chances are the Dead Sea is on your bucket list (and if not, it should be, before it disappears!).
But really, what do you know about this amazing lake? And more to the point, is the Dead Sea really “dead”?
Like most people, the only two common things you’re probably aware of when it comes to the Dead Sea is that 1) you can float in it, and 2) it’s somewhere in Jordan or Israel, or somewhere pretty close to those two!
So let’s put you straight with a few facts…
First off, the Dead Sea is located in the Jordan Rift Valley. It is bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the Palestinian Authority to the west. Secondly, it is not a sea – it is actually a lake and is considered the deepest hypersaline lake as well as one of the saltiest lakes in the world. In fact, it is 9 times saltier than typical oceans. And yes people, the Dead Sea is not really dead.
There are countless interesting stories about how it got its name but for sure, it’s not because hordes of people have died in the lake or that once you step in, the salt will burn you alive, and then you’ll be turned into a salt statue deep in the lake’s depths…
Nope. None of those.
The Dead Sea got its name mainly because it’s a body of water (and perhaps the only body of water)
where no living thing can exist – not animals, not plants – due to the high levels of salt. And with a salinity of 342 g/kg in 2011, there’s no doubts as to why plants or animals can’t survive. Add to that the fact that its also land-locked – any water that flows into it, including rainwater, has no way out – it’s perhaps a little clearer as to why it got its rather morbid name.
This name started to be used more and more during the Roman Era, mainly by the visitors to Judea. And it didn’t take long before the common name changed from “the salt sea” to “the Dead Sea” (just so you know, in Hebrew it is still called Yam HaMelach, the Salt Sea).
Today, tourists can find a number of great hotels and even camp lodges along the Dead Sea shoreline, making this area very much alive and kicking, especially for tourism!