Arabic Al-Baḥr al-Mayyit Hebrew Yam Ha Melaḥ ancient Lacus Asphaltites
Landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan.
The lowest body of water on Earth, it averages about 1,312 ft (400 m) below sea level. It is 50 mi (80 km) long and up to 11 mi (18 km) wide. Its northern half belongs to Jordan, while its southern half is divided between Jordan and Israel. After the Six-Day War (1967), however, the Israeli army remained in control of the entire western shore. The Dead Sea lies between Judaea to the west and the Transjordanian plateaus to the east; the Jordan River flows in from the north. It has been associated with biblical history since the time of Abraham.