Geography and History of the World © 2010 Indiana Edition

Chapter 17: Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

Web Activity Lesson Plans

“The Dead Sea”

Introduction
For thousands of years, the people of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia have depended on their waterways for transportation, trade, and farming. The region is dominated by mountains and desert area, with a fertile coast lines largely dominated by the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas and the Persian Gulf and major river valleys. The region also contains three landlocked saltwater lakes, the most famous perhaps being the Dead Sea.

Lesson Description
Students will investigate the distinctive qualities of the Dead Sea.

Student Web Activity Answers

  1. Approximately 1400 feet (430 meters), makes the Dead Sea the lowest dry point on Earth
  2. 34%, it is tens times higher than any other salt concentration in the world
  3. The sea got its name because the water was thought not able to contain living material; however, 11 bacteria have been discovered in the lake.
  4. The sea most likely form from the spreading of plates along the East Rift Valley. There are a number of sources of water for the Dead Sea, but nothing flows out of the Dead Sea.
  5. There are a number of resorts around the sea, and people often come to the sea for its health benefits. The salt content of the Dead Sea makes it very difficult to swim in the lake, most people simply float like a “cork” relax, and maybe lie back and read a book.
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