Dead Sea

This image looks east over the Dead Sea towards the Jordanian hills. The Dead Sea is 31 miles long and 9 miles wide. It is situated along the Syrian-African Rift, and is the lowest place on earth, about 1,400 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea is fed by the Jordan river at its northern end, but the high banks at the southern end cordon off the water so that it cannot flow out. The fresh water mixes with the sediments of the ground resulting in the extreme salinity of the water, estimated to be over 9 times saltier than the ocean. Fish and plant life is thus impossible. The Dead Sea, however, is rich in mineral resources, such as potash, salt, and fertilizers, which are used for cosmetic products that are exported throughout the world.