|
Deep in the Jordan Valley and 55 km southeast of Amman, is the Dead
Sea, one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in
the whole world. It is the lowest body of water on earth, the lowest
point on earth, and the world's richest source of natural salts,
hiding wonderful treasures that accumulated throughout thousands of
years.
To reach this unique spot, the visitor enjoys a short 30 minutes
drive from Amman, surrounded by a landscape and arid hills, which
could be from another planet. En route a stone marker indicates "Sea
Level", but the Dead Sea itself is not reached before descending
another 400 meters below this sign.
2%20(web)_small.jpg) 2%20(web)_small.jpg)
The sunset touching distant hills with ribbons of fire across the
waters of the Dead Sea brings a sense of unreality to culminate a
day's visit to this region. It is normally as calm as a millpond,
with barely a ripple disturbing its surface, but it can become
turbulent. During most days, however, the water shimmers under a
beating sun. Where rocks meet its lapping edges, they become
snow-like, covered with a thick, gleaming white deposit that gives
the area a strange and surreal sense.
As its name evokes, the Dead Sea is devoid of life due to an
extremely high content of salts and minerals which gives its waters
the renowned curative powers, therapeutic qualities, and its
buoyancy, recognized since the days of Herod the Great, more than
2000 years ago.
And because the salt content is four times that of most world's
oceans, you can float in the Dead Sea without even trying, which
makes swimming here a truly unique experience not to be missed: here
is the only place in the world where you can recline on the water to
read a newspaper.
Scientifically speaking, its water contains more than 35 different
types of minerals that are essential for the health and care of the
body skin including Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bromine, Sulfur,
and Iodine. They are well known for relieving pains and sufferings
caused by arthritis, rheumatism, psoriasis, eczema, headache and
foot-ache, while nourishing and softening the skin. They also
provide the raw materials for the renowned Jordanian Dead Sea bath
salts and cosmetic products marketed worldwide
|