Key Facts about Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is a saline lake in southwestern Asia located between Jordan and Israel.

Key Facts about Dead Sea
Table of Contents

About Dead Sea:

  • The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is a saline lake in southwestern Asia located between Jordan and Israel.
    • Its eastern shore is in Jordan, and the western shore is in Israel.
    • However, the western shore’s southern half belongs to Israel, while the shore’s northern half is in the West Bank, an area claimed by both Israel and Palestine. 
    • It lies to the east of the Mediterranean Sea and south of the Sea of Galilee.
  • It is located at an elevation of 430.5 meters below sea level, making it the Earth’s lowest land-based feature.
  • It covers approximately 605 sq.km. It is 50 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide at its widest point.
  • Salinity: The Dead Sea is one of the Earth’s saltiest water bodies, almost ten times saltier than ordinary seawaters. It has a salinity of 34.2%.
    • It is the fourth saltiest body of water in the world, ranking behind Antarctica’s Don Juan Pond and Lake Vanda, and Djibouti’s Lake Assal.
  • The Dead Sea has one main inlet (the Jordan River) but does not have an outlet and so loses its water mainly through evaporation.
  • The high saline level and the harsh climate make the lake devoid of life,except for algae and other microorganisms.
  • It has a density of 1.240 kg/L, which makes swimming in its waters similar to floating.

Q1: Where is the Sea of Galilee?

Also referred to as Lake Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley between the Galilee region and Golan Heights in the northeastern part of Israel, close to its borders with Jordan and Syria. It is considered the lowest freshwater lake on the planet and the world’s second-lowest lake after the Dead Sea. 

News: White smokers on the lake floor: Spectacular chimneys discovered in the Dead Sea

Update Icon
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Date IconLast updated on Sep, 2026

UPSC 2027 Notification will be released on 13 January 2027 at upsconline.nic.in.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus here.

→ Download UPSC Model Answers for Mains 2026

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2026 is out now for Essay & GS Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4.

UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2027 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mentorship Program 2027 for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

UPSC GS Course 2027
UPSC GS Course 2027
₹1,80,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹65000
Enroll Now
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
₹27000
Enroll Now
Prelims Powerup Test Series
Prelims Powerup Test Series
₹14000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now