The highest point on Earth's surface is the top of Mount Everest, which towers more than 29,000 feet (8,800 meters) above sea level. But what's the lowest point on land?

The lowest spot on dry land are the banks of the Dead Sea in the Middle East. These lie about 1,300 feet (430 m) below sea level, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The banks of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on dry land but not the deepest point on Earth's surface. That distinction belongs to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, a point in the Pacific Ocean that reaches about 35,876 feet [10,935 m] below the planet's surface.

The precise depth of the Dead Sea's surface can vary daily. According to NASA, on a hot, dry summer day, the water level can drop as much as 1 inch (2 to 3 centimeters) because of evaporation.

The Dead Sea, which is not really a sea but a large saltwater lake, is 47 miles (76 kilometers) long and up to 11 miles (18 km) wide. The "Dead Sea" was named by monks, who noticed that life seemed to be absent from the salty water, NOAA noted.

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