If there's one thing everyone knows about the Dead Sea, it's the fact that you can't sink in it. The lowest place on Earth, on occasion referred to as the Valley of Salt, is about eight or nine times saltier than the oceans of the world and so dense and mineral rich that it doesn't even feel like normal water.
And while the Dead Sea may seem like a destination that's far too mainstream, here are five reasons you should visit the Dead Sea. Fast.
There's never a bad time to visit
Considering Jordan's location on the world map, it's always a good time to go for a swim. That includes the winter. Now, we know what we're saying basically means you could strike Jordan off your bucket list at any point in time, but we insist you hurry because...
It's getting smaller
The Dead Sea is shrinking at an alarming rate. In fact, according to the BBC, it's surface level is dropping by more than a metre per year. Perhaps the good news is that thanks to its density and saltiness, it will never dry up entirely. But simply being at the lowest point on the planet is an experience in itself. Believe it or not, simply journeying to the surface of the landlocked body of water causes one's ears to pop as they do on flights.
It'll work wonders for your skin
Legend has it that Cleopatra believed that the Dead Sea had mystical healing powers and incorporated products from the area into her beauty regime. She even went on to build the world's first spa on its shores. For the cynics reading, science has backed this theory up. While not mystical, the Dead Sea's rich, black mud is also called the kale of the beauty world.
It's part of history
With that Cleopatra factoid, you should have guessed that the Dead Sea is part of history. People way smarter than us, claim its been around for a couple million years at least. Ín fact, the Dead Sea even crops up in religious scriptures of the Quran and the Bible.
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