The Dead Sea, bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west, is famous for being the lowest point on Earth (its surface is over 1,400 feet below sea level). However, despite its name, it is not a sea; it is a landlocked salt lake. It is called 'Dead' because its salinity—roughly 9.6 times saltier than the ocean—makes it impossible for most aquatic life like fish or plants to survive. The high salt concentration also increases the water's density, allowing people to float effortlessly on its surface. Because it has no outlet, water only leaves through evaporation, leaving behind minerals and salt, which has led to its extreme composition over thousands of years.