The Arabah is km ( mi) in length from the Gulf of Aqaba to the southern shore of the Dead Sea. Topographically, the region is divided into three sections. From the Gulf of Aqaba northward, the land gradually rises over a distance of km ( mi), and reaches a height of m ( ft) above sea level, which represents the watershed divide between the Dead Sea and Red Sea. From this crest, the land slopes gently northward over the next km ( mi) to a point km ( mi) south of the Dead Sea. In the last section, the Arabah drops steeply to the Dead Sea, which at m ( ft) below sea level, is the lowest point on earth (and historically falling).