Avir ©161207 (1374) -Avir at the Dead Sea Lookout
Avir has stopped for a while at this popular lookout, adjacent to the Dead Sea, to ‘do a photo shoot’ of this very ancient place. Avir also made good use of his binoculars, checking out the scenery along this stretch of water bordering Israel and Jordan to the East, which can just be seen in the distance behind Avir. The Dead Sea is 50 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide at its widest point. It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley, and its tributary is the Jordan River. The Dead Sea is 429 metres below sea level, is 304 metres deep and holds the record of being the lowest point on Earth, making it also the deepest saline lake in the world with 34.2% salinity, which is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean.
This salinity makes for a harsh environment in which plants and animals cannot flourish, which is why its name is most appropriate. However, it may have to be renamed if the reports of life re-emerging in the waters prove accurate. In the Hebrew language, the Dead Sea is called Yam ha-Melah meaning sea of salt.
The Bible also mentions the Dead Sea in Genesis 14:3: “All the latter kings joined forces in the Siddim Valley, where the Dead Sea is”. History shows us that King Herod the Great made it one of the world’s first health resorts and even today the Dead Sea attracts many visitors from around the world, who apply the healing qualities of the mineral rich mud to their skin and relax in this geologically unique wonder.