About 60 kilometers west of the capital, Amman, the Dead Sea stretches along the edge of the Rift Valley. As you descend from the heights of the Balqa Mountains, the water surface appears as a blue carpet, reflecting the color of the sky between the two banks of Palestine and Jordan.
When you arrive by car (which takes about an hour), you'll find yourself at the lowest point on Earth. There, you'll feel the difference in the air, heavy with the scent of the sea, which is saturated with oxygen (36%).
"The Dead Sea is unlike any other place on Earth, and it's a unique tourist destination because it offers a variety of natural, therapeutic, recreational, and religious tourism."
He adds that the climate at the Dead Sea is wonderful in winter, with temperatures never exceeding 25 degrees Celsius and little rainfall. If it does rain, it's a great opportunity for tourists to enjoy the soft drizzle in the warm air and the scent of the oxygen-rich air.
Salt Sea
The Dead Sea has many historical names, including Lot's Lake and the Salt Sea. Its name comes from its lack of living organisms and its high salinity, which reaches 34%, nine times that of other seas.
It was also mentioned by philosophers and historians (including Aristotle and Huynumerus of Cardia), Arab geographers and travelers, including al-Ya'qubi, Ibn Khordadbeh, al-Zuhri, and Yaqut al-Hamawi. They said that it contains the medicinal mineral "al-hamr."
Because the area is approximately 400 meters below sea level, the pressure column is high and it is covered by a layer of ozone, which filters out ultraviolet rays, which have therapeutic properties for the skin and respiration, according to dermatologist Dr. Huda al-Qudah. She emphasizes that sun and oxygen, or climate and air, are important factors in treating the respiratory system, bronchial tubes, and asthma. She also notes that the nature of the sun, the composition of the water, and its mineral content treat skin diseases, psoriasis, and asthma. She stated that these measures should be undertaken under the supervision of a physician.
Swimming in the Dead Sea doesn't require professional skills. One simply needs to sit in the water to find themselves floating on the surface due to the salt concentration and water density. A funny image emerges of tourists swimming on their backs while reading a newspaper, but it becomes dangerous if someone dives or immerses their face in the water, as this can cause eye damage.
Therapeutic Mud
The Dead Sea contains more than twenty elements and compounds, including calcium, manganese, bromine, magnesium, and sulfur. The chemical reactions between the salts, soil, and water create therapeutic mud, which is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and treatments for psoriasis and skin diseases.
"The Dead Sea is the largest open natural resort, and the climate is characterized by the absence of humidity, which is absorbed by the salts," he noted, noting that the majority of tourists seeking treatment come from Northern Europe (Sweden, Austria, and Finland).
He added, "Healing is different from treatment because it relies on natural elements to treat certain diseases. The Dead Sea's climate is suitable for treating respiratory diseases, the incidence of which is high in the Gulf due to dust and smoke."
Meditation and Serenity
The serenity and tranquility of the area, surrounded by the agricultural areas of the Jordan Valley, help provide a space for rest, away from the noise. At sunset, beautiful scenes of enchanting colors created by nature—red, orange, yellow, and purple—are visible on the horizon, rivaling the most beautiful abstract paintings.
At night, the area becomes a place for contemplation, thanks to the clear sky, where the stars twinkle, accompanied by the sound of the calm waves. Amarin says that the area has been historically known as a place for meditation, and many tourists come for Sufi contemplation.
Photographer Mohammed Al-Qaraleh agrees, saying, "The most beautiful thing is to sit on the beach and watch the sunset and the twilight, and observe the blending of colors that resemble the blazing of a fire."
Poetic Images
On the shore of the Dead Sea, a closed body of water into which the Jordan River flows, solid salt masses form, resembling the appearance of a fire. Artistic sculptures attract the attention of visitors, artists, and poets.
The strangeness of the sea and its name have inspired poets to write poems that reflect the poetics of salt, including Izz al-Din Manasra's "Dead Sea Memoirs." A joint painting experience by artist Mohammed Abu Aziz and French photographer Jean-Loup Desoverzac, titled "Sharing the Salt," was exhibited at the Arab World Institute in Paris, the Royal Yacht Club, Madaba, Balamand University, and Jinan University in Lebanon, as well as Jerusalem.
Sports Tourism
Tourism does not stop at the Dead Sea, whose shoreline stretches over 70 kilometers. There are also numerous springs of mineral water saturated with sulfur, which is used to stimulate blood circulation and treat joints.
Sports tourism has also flourished in the area, including cycling and national team training. Many newlyweds choose to host their events, including an Indian billionaire who will hold his son's wedding in the area. Reservations have been made, and all the party supplies, including spices, were brought in from there. The number of invitees has reached approximately 1,000.
