We often talk about climbing high mountains, but what about the lowest places on Earth? Some spots are so low they are actually below the level of the sea.
Imagine the land as a giant bowl. Sea level is the rim, and these places are at the very bottom. Let's take a journey to the lowest point on every continent.
Locations
Finding the elevation of these spots shows a different kind of extreme. It helps us understand the amazing variety of our planet’s surface.
Asia: The Dead Sea
Elevation: -420 meters (-1,385 feet)
The shores of the Dead Sea, bordering Israel and Jordan, are the lowest point on any landmass. The water is so salty that you can float in it effortlessly!
Africa: Lake Assal
Elevation: -155 meters (-509 feet)
Located in the small country of Djibouti, Lake Assal is a crater lake. It is the second saltiest body of water in the world, right after Don Juan Pond in Antarctica.
North America: Death Valley
Elevation: -86 meters (-282 feet)
Found in America's Mojave Desert, Badwater Basin in Death Valley is the lowest point in North America. It is also one of the hottest places on Earth.
South America: Laguna del Carbón
Elevation: -105 meters (-344 feet)
This salt lake in Argentina holds the record for the lowest point in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres. It’s located in a remote and beautiful region.
Europe: Caspian Sea Shore
Elevation: -28 meters (-92 feet)
The vast Caspian Sea is bordered by both Europe and Asia. The shores, especially in Russia, are the lowest points in Europe. It’s the world’s largest inland body of water.
Australia: Lake Eyre
Elevation: -15 meters (-49 feet)
Located in the deserts of South Australia, Lake Eyre is a massive salt pan. Most of the time it is a dry, salty crust, but sometimes it fills with water.
Antarctica: Deep Lake, Vestfold Hills
Elevation: -50 meters (-160 feet)
This lake in Antarctica is so salty that it doesn't freeze, even when temperatures drop far below zero. It's a unique and extreme environment.
These low places are just as fascinating as the highest peaks. You can see how they fit into the world's landscape on our global elevation map.