The Dead Sea is known as Yām hamMelaḥ (יַם הַמֶּלַח) in Hebrew and al-Baḥr al-Mayyit (اَلْبَحْر الْمَيِّت) in Arabic. It is a landlocked salt lake bordered by Israel, Jordan and the West Bank region of Palestine. Its main tributary is the Jordan river.
The surface of the Dead Sea is the place with the lowest elevation on earth, being about 430 m (1,400 ft) below sea-level. The air at that level contains 10% more oxygen than at sea-level. At its deepest point, the lake is 300 m (990 ft) deep. It is also one of the saltiest lakes on Earth. Because of all the salt, the lake's density is 1.24 kg/l, thus making it possible to float in it without any effort. The salinity prevents life, hence its name 'Dead Sea'.
The Dead Sea is one of Israel's and Jordan's major tourist destinations. The rivers flowing into the Dead Sea have been reduced to streams, because their waters are used for irrigation and now the level of the Dead Sea is rapidly falling. If it continues to drop at current rates, it is estimated that around 2050 the Dead Sea will cease to exist. Already now, its levels are 40 m lower than in 1930. The dropping water levels have also caused countless sinkholes to appear around the shores.
The first major resort was built at the town of Arad in Israel. At Ein Bokek another large resort can be found.
Around the Dead Sea are several interesting sights. Ein Gedi is one of Israel's most beautiful oases. It boasts lush, tropical vegetation, sustained by freshwater springs, waterfalls and pools. The nearby Masada fortress sits atop a sheer-sided plateau and offers fantastic views over the area.
Accommodation is available in various resorts around the Dead Sea.
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