The Dead Sea, located between Jordan and Israel in a deep valley, sits at the lowest land elevation on Earth. Despite this key geographical and geological fact, that's not why the Dead Sea has such an unusual name. The mineral content is far too high for any fish to live in its waters, hence the "dead" designation.
The Dead Sea's salt content is extremely high -- so much so that even in the Bible, one name given to it is the Salt Sea. This salt lake has had many names, such as the Eastern Sea or Lake of Lot, referring to the biblical story about Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt. Centuries ago, some writers began calling it the Dead Sea, due to its lack of fish and visible plant life. It is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, far saltier than the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The amount of water evaporating from the Dead Sea each year exceeds the amount flowing into it from the Jordan River, resulting in vast mineral concentrations that prevent plants and fish from living in it. The only life forms thriving in this highly saline water are two forms of bacteria and one form of alga. The Dead Sea is a well-traveled tourist destination for historical and healing purposes; its shores are dotted by hotels, spas and retreat centers.
