Lowest point on earth: Visit the Dead Sea

Lowest point on earth: Visit the Dead Sea

We visit the lowest point on Earth to discover an eerily beautiful landscape that has both a fascinating history and a tragic future

Peter loves collecting titles. So far we have the driest place on earth (Atacama Desert), the hottest place on earth (Death Valley), the northernmost capital in the world (Reykjavik), the highest capital in the world (be it La Paz or Quito), the highest point in Africa (Kilimanjaro), the seven wonders of the world, the highest mountain in the world (Mauna Kea), the end of the world (Ushuaia) and the International Date Line.

So when the prospect of visiting the lowest point on earth arose, Peter was predictably excited.

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The Dead Sea is 420 m below sea level and is considered the lowest point on earth. Depending on the definition, there are of course several candidates for the title:

• Der tiefste Punkt der Erde in Bezug auf Land ist das Ufer des Toten Meeres, das sich Palästina, Israel und Jordanien teilen (1.378 Fuß / 420 m unter dem Meeresspiegel).
• Der tiefste Punkt der Erde in Bezug auf Land, das nicht von flüssigem Wasser bedeckt ist, ist das Tal unter dem Byrd-Gletscher in der Antarktis (9.121 Fuß / 2.780 m unter dem Meeresspiegel). Es ist jedoch von einer dicken Eisschicht bedeckt und daher nicht zugänglich.
• Der Punkt, der dem Erdmittelpunkt am nächsten liegt, ist der Grund des Arktischen Ozeans in der Nähe des geografischen Nordpols (17.881 Fuß / 5.450 m unter dem Meeresspiegel).
• Der tiefste Punkt der Erde insgesamt ist Challenger Deep am Grund des Marianengrabens (36.201 Fuß / 11.034 m unter dem Meeresspiegel).

Dry land suits me, so I told Peter the Dead Sea was enough for the title. (He would be on his way to the Mariana Trench if he had the means.)

We set off from Amman, Jordan, and made the 60km drive to the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake in the Jordan Rift. We were on assignment for Asian Bride magazine, so we spent a few days in relative luxury at Mövenpick Resort & Spa, just seconds from the shores of the Dead Sea.

The first thing I noticed was the complete peace and quiet. These may sound like trite adjectives, but they are actually a trait backed by science. The Dead Sea has no outlet; Instead, millions of liters of water evaporate every day, leaving large amounts of salt on the beach, creating a thick atmospheric haze that muffles sound to almost nothing.

old=““>Atlas & Boots

The second most noticeable thing is the extreme salinity of the water. At 34%, the water in the lake is about ten times as salty as the sea. This kills almost all marine life – hence the nickname “Dead Sea”. It should be said that this interesting fact manifests itself as actual physical pain when you enter the water with an open or healing cut - as I found out when my knee began to sing in pain.

alt="interesting facts about the Dead Sea in Jordan">Atas & BootsFloating on the surface of the Dead Sea

Swimming is almost impossible because the water has a density of 1.24 kg/liter. Instead, visitors are encouraged to simply lie on their backs, float and relax. After all, you can't drown in the Dead Sea!

We made the mistake of lounging towards Jericho in Palestine's West Bank. We ventured about 60m from shore before we heard a sharp whistle demanding our return. Uh oh. We turned around and swam back as fast as the water would allow (quite slowly).

We spent the afternoon (literally) wallowing in the mud, known for its therapeutic properties. Dead Sea mud is said to relieve serious skin diseases and joint problems and also offers some beauty benefits.

old=““>Atlas & BootsPeter in the mud at the Dead Sea

The mud also keeps away the swarms of house flies that are attracted to the area by natural fertilizer from neighboring farms. Be warned that the flies arrive in large numbers and can be a constant nuisance, so do not eat outside during the day. Even sunbathing can be a test!

Efforts have been made to curb this phenomenon, but the government has a bigger problem to solve: the Dead Sea dying. The mining of minerals and the diversion of water from the Jordan have caused the water level to plummet. In 1930 the surface area of ​​the lake was 1,050 km². Today it is at 600 and continues to fall. The water level has dropped by 40 m and is now falling at a rate of three meters per year.

When you stand on the shore at night and look at the lights of Jericho, it's hard not to think about human failings - both in our interactions with nature and in our interactions with each other. The death of the Dead Sea, that haven of calm in a volatile region, would go beyond mere loss and venture into tragedy. See it before it's gone.

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Lowest Point on Earth: The Essentials

What: Visit the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

Where: Dead Sea, Jordan. We spent two nights at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, which had beautiful views, a luxurious spa and friendly service.

When: The best time to visit the Dead Sea is spring (March to May), when temperatures are warm but not scorching. In summer (June-September) temperatures are known to reach 45°C (113°F).

How: From Amman, a taxi service can be booked for 20 JOD (28 USD) for the day. Hotels charge 35 JOD ($49) for the service. Some local hotels and resorts also offer shuttle services for a fee.

There are several buses that run daily from Amman. A bus from Muhajireen bus station costs up to 4 JOD (6 USD). On Fridays at 8:30 a.m. there is a JETT bus from Amman (Abdali) to the Dead Sea (10 JOD / 14 USD). There are several international airlines that fly to Amman. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

It's worth noting that you only need a few nights at the Dead Sea. Some visitors choose to spend a week there simply to sunbathe and relax, but this can prove difficult given the many houseflies in the area!

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Lonely Planet Jordan is a comprehensive travel guide to Jordan, ideal for those who want to both explore the main attractions and take the road less traveled.
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