Known as the first health resort in the world, the Dead Sea, once utilized as a refuge by King David, and "Herod the Great", continues to lure millions of modern day visitors who are in pursuit of its known medicinal and healing qualities, as well as hoping for a chance to experience firsthand, the proverbial "floating in the Dead Sea".
Sometimes referred to as the "Salt Sea", this salty lake borders Jordan to the east, and Israel, and the West Bank to the west.
This truly unique hyper saline lake lies 423 meters (1,388 ft) below sea level making it the world's lowest land elevation (as well as home to the world's lowest road, Highway 90).
Measuring 67 km (42 miles) long, 18 km wide (11 miles) wide, and 377 meters (1,237 ft) deep, it also boasts the record as being the deepest hyper saline lake in the world.
Containing 33.
7% salinity, it is also one of the saltiest bodies of water known to man.
Roughly, 8.
6 times saltier than the ocean, this extreme salinity makes it an uninhabitable habitat for most aquatic life (with the exception of small numbers of bacteria and fungi).
Another unusual feature of the Dead Sea is that it naturally discharges asphalt from its depths, and provides a buoyant environment for visitors to float effortlessly on its surface.
Aside from the known healing properties of bathing directly in it, it has also been a significant site for geological and archeological studies and research.
The cosmetic and beauty industry have also monopolized on its healing salt properties, producing a wide variety of products.
Most interestingly though, is that through archeological evidence, it is now known, that the early Egyptians have used many of its bi-products such as asphalt, in their mummification processes.
Its bi-products have also been widely used in fertilizer production, providing farmers which mineral rich soil for planting.
The tides have changed however in recent years, which has not only damaged tourism in the region (due to safety concerns), but has also destroyed agricultural farming in the region (as well as farmers livelihoods).
Since the 1960's the Dead Sea has shrunk by a staggering 1/3.
In recent years as well, the sinkhole phenomenon has been sweeping the region (particularly on the west side).
The sea is literally drying up, and being swallowed up by giant sinkholes making its landscape (which was once revered by many onlookers), now resembles the cratered surface of the Moon.
As the sea continues to shrink, it lowers surrounding water tables.
Then freshwater irrigation begins to dissolve underwater bedrock salt, which ultimately causes fissures on the land surface to appear, and form underground spaces that create the sinkholes.
There are now over 3000 sinkholes reported in the Dead Sea region, with an estimated 200 newly emerging ones, being projected yearly.
Some scientist speculate that because the Jordan River was diverted for projects in various neighboring countries, that this diversion has directly caused the regions devastation.
Now scientists are scrambling to find solutions to save this once verdant and fertile land.
One such solution was to use the water from the Red Sea, to re-fill the Dead Sea, but due to political restraints, and huge costs, this still is not a viable option.
This is yet another fine example of human interference with nature.
Had humans have not diverted the natural flow of the Jordan River perhaps the Dead Sea would still be in all its glory today.
When the delicate balance of nature is tinkered with, we experience the consequences of this imbalance.
My hope someday is, that mankind will leave nature alone, and allow it to function in its perfection.