Have you ever wondered what would be like, to float for a long time on water? This world is magical, biblical history and mysteries are what surround it and there is such place to keep your body floating, Flowing Waters is its name.
A mysterious name, which can only be found on the depths of it. Dead Sea has the earth lowest elevation on land, 430 meters below sea level and one of the saltiest waters on earth. Are you still wandering which is the reason of this floating attribute?
The Dead Sea
Swimming in the Dead Sea is pretty much the same as floating, the level of salt is so high that pretty much you will not need to put much effort on swimming since the water will do the rest and keep your body on the surface. Lay on water, watch the sky falling down on you, the mountains surrounding the surface and enjoy the experience which only this amazing natural beauty could give.
There are no living beings as fish, or water plants because of the large amount of salt per liter of water, and that is where the ‘Dead’ epithet comes from. Also, it is suggested that the people who try the amazing feeling of floating in the water, to not stay more than 15 minutes and wash with fresh water after.
In cases of rain, the Dead Sea, comes to life, because of the reduction of salt percentage, and an opportunity of water plants living under it is present. Last record of a similar effect, was the year 1980, when the surface of the water became red, leaving many people wandering of the cause, which in reality was a variety of alga plant, which gave the color to the water. Magical, isn’t it?
Tourist from all over the world, each year visit the Dead Sea and take back one the greatest experiences in their lifetimes. Incredible landscapes which you can enjoy for 15 kilometers as wide as this body of water is.
The breathtaking lake has been one of the most magnetic attractions for thousands of years, not only for its beauty, but also of the benefits of the water as well as supplying different civilizations during history of mankind, for the making of a huge variety of products.
Since the ancient time the surrounding of the lake has been rich in different species and plants. It used to be a very wealthy area and many historians from the Roman times embraced the fertility of it, but the 19th century brought the down this living heaven for different civilizations in history. The water still finds itself surrounded with rich biodiversity, but not as it used to be.
The ancient time knew the sea as the ‘Asphalt Lake’, or as Romans called it “Palus Asphaltites’. Egyptians were the lakes favorite visitors since they found a way to use its asphalt and using it in the mummy making process.
The richness of the Dead Sea, and its surroundings made it one of the most famous trade routes in the ancient times and through history.
Health
The Dead Sea has been and still is one of the best locations in the world as a health resort and is also is used by Israel as the first key chain, on the creation of many chemical elements as potash and magnesium.
Dead Sea has become a concern in the last decades because of its shrinking and even though Israel has kept a close eye on it, the shrinking levels continue since the diversions of the Jordan River, which is the main rout of incoming water.
Different projects have been implemented to defend and grow again the surface of the lake, but there is still not a single change on the matter. The levels of water are almost divided in half and it is a serious concern put on this remarkable and historic lake.
Bottom Line
The Dead Sea, Asphalt Lake, Salted Lake, Floating Waters, you can call it in different names, as history has been calling it since biblical times, in many languages and many cultures. This only proves the legacy and the living proof of the beauty that this earth contains and what lies in front of us to see.
The Dead Sea will probably live and thousands of years to come, but we won’t, and as long you are alive, you should not miss the opportunity of enjoying this remarkable historic and unbelievable view that only nature can give you.
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