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Lowest point
on Earth is also the saltiest
By GRACE HOUSHOLDER
The Dead Sea does not look like its name. On a clear November
day we drove along it for miles and marveled at its beauty. The
sparkling water was a spectacular and wondrous blue. The few
plants and rocks along the shoreline had a thick, whitish coating
- salt, I presume.
It was hard to believe that the huge body of water did not harbor
one fish. Birds avoid the Dead Sea because there are no fish
and few plants to feed upon. The saltiest body of water in the
world, the Dead Sea is nine times saltier than the ocean.
Lying between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Seais the lowest point
on the Earth's surface. Fifty miles long and 10 miles wide, it
is fed mainly by the River Jordan to the north. It has no outlet.
The intense heat causes the water to evaporate, leaving high
concentrations of salts and minerals. Erosion, the leaching of
minerals from the geological strata and the "mineral mud"
also contribute to the high salt and mineral content.
Plants growing in the area, especially balsam trees, produce
cosmetics, perfumes and medicinal substances. Mark Anthony conquered
the Dead Sea area for Cleopatra.
We saw miles of viaducts transporting water away from the Dead
Sea to treatment plants where potash, bromine and other chemicals
are extracted for export around the world.
When my husband, Terry, and I were packing for our trip, we had
not realized that several parts of the Dead Sea have been developed
into resort areas and that our visit to the Dead Sea would be
an ideal time for swimming. But a few people in our group did
pack bathing suits. Our guide chose a beautiful beach with large,
modern hotels, nice shopping and indoor/outdoor restaurants.
While we enjoyed sandwiches in a tree-shaded area overlooking
the beach, several members of our group went swimming.
Swimming, though, is not the right word. Floating is more exact.
There is so much salt in the Dead Sea (about 28 percent) that
it's impossible to sink. Instead of swimming, people just kind
of sit in the water. Showers on the beach help swimmers, er,
floaters, remove the salt and minerals.
We had read that the Dead Sea has a foul odor, but we didn't
notice any bad smells.
I experienced the therapeutic properties of the water in the
Dead Sea first hand. I put both of my hands in the water. At
first it stung a little, but later I realized my hands felt much
softer. Throughout Israel you can see all kinds of creams and
lotions with "Dead Sea minerals." They make nice gifts.
I would never go to the Dead Sea during the summer, when the
heat is searing. But I would love to go back - with my bathing
suit - during the late fall or winter months.
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