Dead Sea Panoramic Complex

Drove along the Dead Sea, seeing the beaches where you can pay to access the 'public' beaches and a large number of large international resorts.

Then a climb up to the complex where there is a restaurant, viewpoints and an interpretive centre.

Started with an overpriced lunch of a mixed grill, but a priceless view.

The small museum showed the origins and history of the Dead Sea and also the unique ecosystem in the valley.

I learned that the valley was not created by glaciation or floods, but is actually part of the Great Rift Valley that runs from Ethiopia to Turkey. Humans evolved in the Great Rift Valley in Africa, and they migrated along the land bridge, entering Asia and Europe via what is now Jordan, hence the rich archaeological history which I saw in the Amman museums.

A large part of the exhibit was about how the Dead Sea is shrinking fast due to the diversion of water from the Jordan River to the north for domestic and agricultural uses.

After leaving the Complex, and its much-appreciated covered parking, the road climbed up to the Madaba plateau along a spectacular canyon.Read more