As someone who has visited both the Israeli and the Jordanian sides of the Dead Sea, we can confirm that it is indeed one of the world’s true great natural wonders.
Which is why it sucks so badly that this singular body of water will likely be unable to compete in the current New Seven Wonders of Nature contest.
Unsurprisingly, it all has to do with politics. Bordered by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, all three governments must jointly agree to submit the Dead Sea into the competiton.
Israel is keen. Jordan, too — especially after their ancient city of Petra got major positive press when it was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World during a similar contest in 2007.
But the Palestinian Authority is having none of it — refusing to sign the joint-participation agreement due to outrage that Jewish settlers in the West Bank comprise part of the Israeli Dead Sea contingent.
Having already made it through the first round of votes, the Dead Sea has a good chance of making it to the final seven — which will be chose via an estimated 1 billion on-line votes later this year.
But without the Palestinian seal of approval — the Dead Sea’s candidacy will be taken off life support.
Bummer!