Dead sea is the only sea on earth which has no plant or 
animal life. It is, therefore, appropriately called Dead 
Sea. In fact, Dead Sea is a saline lake situated between 
Jordan and Israel. This is 77 km. Long and its breadth 
ranges between 5 to 18 kilometers. The water level of Dead 
Sea is the lowest on the Earth. It is lower than the sea-
level by 396 metres. Millions of years ago the level of 
Dead Sea was, however, higher than the present one by 427 
metres. At that time aquatic animals were living in Dead 
Sea. All of a sudden, there was a draught and the water of 
this Sea evaporated. Gradually this sea acquired the 
present state.

No river originates from this sea. The Jordan river and 
some small canals end up in this sea. Since no river comes 
out of this, the water of this sea depletes only by 
evaporation. Consequently the amount of salt and other 
soluble minerals brought into the sea by the Jordan river 
and other smaller canals goes on increasing. You will be 
surprised to know that the amount of salt present in Dead 
Sea is the largest in comparison to the other seas. In 
general, the amount of salt present in any sea is 4% to 6%. 
But even this can make you sick as it contains large quantities 
of magnesium chloride and other poisonous substances. Due 
to the presence of large quantities of salt and other 
poisonous materials no living being can survive in this 
sea. Hence fish and other aquatic animals of the Jordan 
river die as soon as they enter the water of this sea.