- Where is the amazing Dead Sea?
- Dead Sea history
- Healing properties
- Medical infrastructure
- What to see at the Dead Sea?
The Dead Sea is a unique body of water, which for thousands of years has been famous not only for the healing qualities of water, but is also considered the oldest on the planet. The hydrological structure of the sea is a space about 70 kilometers long and about 18 kilometers wide. That is, outwardly, the water area looks more like a lake with a maximum depth of 300 meters. In order to find out where the Dead Sea is located, it is enough to remember the geographical location of countries such as Israel and Jordan.
Where is the amazing Dead Sea?
The main reference point for finding the Dead Sea on the map can serve as the world's largest Asian continent, since it is in its southwestern part that the saltiest body of water is located. The east coast belongs to the territory of Israel, and the west coast belongs to the lands of Jordan.
Not far from the Dead Sea is the Mediterranean Sea, so a significant number of tourists prefer to combine their vacation in these places. In the immediate vicinity of the sea, there are megacities of the large states of Amman and Jerusalem, which have international airports.
It should be noted that the water area fills a deep depression, the sea level of which is below 430 meters and decreases by about 1 meter every year. This fact is due to the fact that the Jordan River, which flows into the sea, is also becoming shallow due to the irrational use of its resources by the inhabitants of the Middle East.
The concentration of salt and minerals in the Dead Sea today is considered the highest in comparison with other bodies of water in the world. Combined with the favorable climatic conditions, the healing properties of the sea make it possible to recover from chronic diseases.
Dead Sea history
Initially, the reservoir was mentioned in the writings of the famous Greek geographer and scientist Strabo, who pointed out that the sea is a large lake called "Sirobonida". Strabo already many centuries ago noted the special structure of water, which allows a person to be constantly on the surface and not drown.
Further, in the II century AD, the sea was first characterized as "dead" thanks to the research of a historian from Greece named Pausanias. In his works, he paid special attention to the topic of the chemical composition of the water area and proved that, due to the high salt content in the sea, none of the organisms known at that time could survive. However, centuries later, scientists managed to find several species of the simplest life forms that live in the sea.
According to biblical sources, in the immediate vicinity of the Dead Sea were the cities of Gomorrah and the Garden, famous for their vicious lifestyle. Also, in the biblical texts, you can find evidence that in the place of the sea there was previously a fertile valley of Siddim, and Jesus Christ was baptized on the coast of the Dead Sea.
In different periods of time in human history, the reservoir periodically changed its name and was known as the "Sea of Salt", "Sodom Sea", "Asphalt Sea", "Sea of Arava", "Eastern Sea", etc.
Healing properties
Most of the vacationers who come to the resort areas of the water area have goals - to improve their health and recover from chronic diseases thanks to the amazing properties of not only water, but also mud.
Specialists in the field of medicine note that the leading direction in the improvement of patients is a set of measures aimed at treating skin ailments such as psoriasis, various types of allergic reactions, eczema, furunculosis, etc. At the same time, therapy includes baths, mud wraps, inhalations, massages and other types of procedures that contribute to an overall improvement in health.
Mineral salts and trace elements contained in the water of the sea are excellent for disorders of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, rheumatism, osteochondrosis, general fatigue, joint pain and migraines. The use of the natural resources of the Dead Sea has such a wide spectrum of action that at present, entire scientific centers are being created to study the unique properties of the reservoir and manufacture a variety of products based on natural ingredients.
Medical infrastructure
Around the water area, there are about 10 health resorts and health centers that annually receive more than 15,000 tourists from all over the world. Especially popular among visitors is the small village of Ein Bokek, on the territory of which there are 13 hotels of different levels, 2 clinics, shopping centers, restaurants offering local cuisine, as well as public beaches.
Ein Bokek was built several decades ago, but it is still a leading resort area with vast experience in the field of health tourism. Rest in the village has a beneficial effect on the health of tourists and has a peaceful atmosphere.
Also, on the basis of Ein Bokek, high-level health clinics were created, dealing with the treatment of ailments related to urology and gynecology. Most of the clinic's specialists speak Russian, which facilitates closer contact between patients and doctors.
What to see at the Dead Sea?
Holidays at the Dead Sea are not only a way to improve and restore many body systems, but also an opportunity to combine medical tourism with cognitive tourism. In close proximity to the water area are the following iconic landmarks of Israel:
- Masada National Park, which is a unique combination of beautiful landscapes with a palace complex and other ancient buildings dating back to 35 BC.
- Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, attracting the attention of tourists due to its unique flora and fauna, as well as amazing waterfalls.
- The source of Ein Gedi, which is located among the sands of the desert and has the most ancient biblical history.
- The flour cave, which is a natural natural formation of the limestone type, where you can see many stalactites and stalagmites.
- Tel Arad hill, at the foot of which archaeological evidence of a city built 5000 years before the beginning of the Byzantine era was discovered.
- Darya and Tmarim canyons, known for their rugged terrain, and therefore fans of extreme tourism come here every year.
