World Geography — Lowest Point on Land (Free Surface) Choose the correct location that represents the Earth's lowest point on land (natural free surface above underlying bedrock), measured relative to mean sea level.

Introduction / Context:
The “lowest point on land” usually refers to the lowest natural free surface (not inside a cave or mine) relative to mean sea level. This is a classic physical-geography fact tested in competitive exams. Several depressions are below sea level, but only one holds the record globally when measured as a natural open surface accessible from land.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We compare well-known below-sea-level depressions: Dead Sea shores, Death Valley, Caspian depression, and Lake Eyre.
• Interpret “on land” as an exposed natural surface, not ocean floor or man-made excavation.
• Standard reference is mean sea level (MSL).

Concept / Approach:

The shorelines around the Dead Sea (Jordan/Israel) form the Earth’s lowest exposed land elevation, over 400 m below MSL. Other locations are also below MSL but not as low: Death Valley’s Badwater Basin is about 86 m below MSL; Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) is roughly 15 m below MSL; the Caspian Sea surface is about 28 m below MSL (and it is a water surface of an inland sea). Hence, the Dead Sea margin is the lowest exposed point on land.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify candidate with the greatest negative elevation relative to MSL.Recall typical values: Dead Sea ~ −430 m; Death Valley ~ −86 m; Caspian Sea ~ −28 m; Lake Eyre ~ −15 m (variable).Select the location with the most extreme depression: Dead Sea shores.

Verification / Alternative check:

Multiple atlases and geography compendia list the Dead Sea coastline as the lowest land elevation, with minor year-to-year variation due to evaporation and inflows, but always far lower than other options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Death Valley, USA: Deep but only about −86 m; not the lowest.Caspian Sea, Russia: Inland sea surface around −28 m; far higher than the Dead Sea depression.Lake Eyre, Australia: Typically around −15 m; varies with flooding but not near the record.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing “lowest point on Earth” with oceanic trenches (e.g., Challenger Deep) which are submarine, not “on land.” Also, ignoring that the Caspian is a water surface and much less depressed than the Dead Sea basin.

Final Answer:

Dead Sea, Jordan/Israel