Dead Sea Masada in Foreground

The Dead Sea is rich in minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and zinc. Factories at the southern end of the great lake extract 21 natural minerals out of the water. The water in the Dead Sea is eight times saltier than the world’s saltiest ocean. Because of the unique combination of minerals in the water, it’s impossible to sink in the Dead Sea. Some like to float in the water for a one-time experience. Others use the lake and its minerals for skin care. The Dead Sea is 1,400 feet below sea level and has no outlet. Once water reaches this body of water, it has nowhere else to go. The sea absorbs many of the minerals from the rocky landscape of the Dead Sea basin. In the arid, hot climate, evaporation accelerates the process, leaving behind the mineral-rich water. Though it has many benefits, the water is also dangerous. It must not be consumed or splashed in the eyes. And if there’s a cut on your body, the salty water will find it quickly.