DEAD SEA, ISRAEL
Reason to visit
A research shows that Dead Sea will be disappear in about 20 years if the water level continues to drop at current rate. Water levels in the Dead Sea have been dropping over the last few years as towns and villages in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria suck up run-off water that would normally fill the extra-salty lake. But new research finds that even in periods without human pressures, the Dead Sea may have dried up, including once when it did so almost entirely more than 100,000 years ago. The reason are the cause of the plate movement and the evaporation of water.
The absolute location of the Dead Sea between Israel and Jordan is 31 degrees North latitude, 35 degrees East longitude. It’s also about 42 miles long and 11 miles wide, which is actually quite small for a sea however the sea is incredibly deep, the maximum depth of the lake is about 1,237 feet deep! The lake’s primary source of water comes from the Jordan River, which is roughly 156 miles long and flows into the Dead Sea. Possible formation of the Dead Sea is due to the Dead Sea Transform, if one was to look on a map they’d find the Dead Sea is located between two tectonic plates moving roughly the same speed, though the one in front is moving slightly faster, and that is a potential cause of its formation. Where is the Dead Sea Located; right in-between two countries, and also two huge tectonic plates!
Why does this happen?
The water of the Dead Sea is six times saltier than any other body of water on earth.The concentration of salt reaches 31%.The extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water causes the water to be denser than that of plain fresh water. Since our body weight is lighter (less dense) than the density of the water, our body is more buoyant in the Dead Sea, making it easy to float.We recommend you don't dive into the water, soak you head (face) in the water or enter if you have any open cuts, and remember NOT to shave or wax the same day.
Masada National Park, which was declared by UNESCO as a world heritage and culture and is considered the most visited site in Israel, with about 800,000 visitors each year, invites you to experience an unforgettable visit! With a modern visitor center, which includes screening halls with exciting video, entertainment complex, shopping and restaurants of the largest in the Dead Sea region new swiss cable car, highly advanced, will take you to Mount Masada, where you will be exposed to breathtaking views, heritage and history of ancient times.
Ways to get there
The Israeli side of the Dead Sea is a possible day trip from Jerusalem (39km from Northern Dead Sea via the West Bank), Eilat (220km from Southern Dead Sea), or Tel Aviv (98km from Northern Dead Sea). There are three main road entry routes into the Dead Sea area. The first is via Highway 1 and Highway 90, through the West Bank, from the Jerusalem area, Hwy 90 is a long relatively easy scenic downhill on a bicycle with two moderate uphill climbs although summer construction might close the breakdown lane leaving very tight passage on the otherwise modern highway. Alternatively, you could access the area from Eilat via Highway 90 from the south, or from the road from Beersheva via Arad.
The main access points are the oases of Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek, both accessible via Egged bus from Jerusalem (lines 486 and 487), Tel Aviv (421, starts once a day from Arlozorov Station at 8.36 am ), Eilat (444), Beersheva and Arad (384). Both Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek have public access beaches, but Ein Bokek's beach is the better of the two. Population services are infrequent, so check schedules before heading out. Taxi services can also serve the Dead Sea.
Things to do
a) Float in Dead Sea.
Just lay back, relax and enjoy this natural phenomenon.The minute your feet and legs are in the water you feel as if they are being pushed up.As your whole body enters the water you feel your body become lighter and more buoyant.Just lay back and allow your body to float.This is a relaxing experience, relieving you of stress and allowing your whole body to just rest.Actually floating in the Dead Sea is the only thing you can do. Because of the buoyancy you can't swim, because of the salt you can't dive, we recommend you bring a book or newspaper, relax and enjoy!a) Float in Dead Sea.
Why does this happen?
The water of the Dead Sea is six times saltier than any other body of water on earth.The concentration of salt reaches 31%.The extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water causes the water to be denser than that of plain fresh water. Since our body weight is lighter (less dense) than the density of the water, our body is more buoyant in the Dead Sea, making it easy to float.We recommend you don't dive into the water, soak you head (face) in the water or enter if you have any open cuts, and remember NOT to shave or wax the same day.
b) Masada National Park
Masada National Park has a new Visitors centre complex offering a variety of activities for individuals, groups, conferences and even an event center with functions such as weddings and Bar/Bat - Mitzvah.
The visitors center offers the following:
• Business center with full catering.
• The visitor’s center is completely Kosher with presence watching over seven days a week.
• Dining facility with capacity to seat 1000 diners. Variety of meals: meat, dairy, boxed meals on the grill,
sandwiches and more.
• Global flagship store of AHAVA - factory outlet prices.
• Boutique store with local produce from the Dead Sea Region and around Israel.
• Special Group accommodations – no need to wait in line and early purchasing
• Services and meeting facilities – on of the country's largest.
• Production for conferences and events of any kind.
• Activities 24/7 for 364 days a year.
• More than 30 luxurious and modern Bathroom facilities.
• Order special packages for cable car and entrance to the site.
• Ambulance services, security, huge underground parking, electricity, lighting, money-saving services.
• Business center with full catering.
• The visitor’s center is completely Kosher with presence watching over seven days a week.
• Dining facility with capacity to seat 1000 diners. Variety of meals: meat, dairy, boxed meals on the grill,
sandwiches and more.
• Global flagship store of AHAVA - factory outlet prices.
• Boutique store with local produce from the Dead Sea Region and around Israel.
• Special Group accommodations – no need to wait in line and early purchasing
• Services and meeting facilities – on of the country's largest.
• Production for conferences and events of any kind.
• Activities 24/7 for 364 days a year.
• More than 30 luxurious and modern Bathroom facilities.
• Order special packages for cable car and entrance to the site.
• Ambulance services, security, huge underground parking, electricity, lighting, money-saving services.
c) Beaches
When visiting any beach in the Dead Sea Region is it curtail that you visit official beaches with lifeguards and follow a few simple rules in order to keep safe.There are many official beaches along the shores of the Dead Sea which offer lifeguard service for safe swimming.
It's important to follow the instructions of lifeguards or follow any other instructions posted on signs along the various beaches of the Dead Sea.
-Always use caution when swimming and floating in the water of the Dead Sea as you would in any other body of water.
-Never allow children to enter the water alone, adult supervision is always required.
-Always wear protective gear such as beach shoes or thongs when walking along the shores of the Dead Sea as the sand is very hot and could be rough do to salt crystals.
-The Dead Sea region is very hot and dry; please take care with sunscreen, hat and plenty of drinking water.
