Phil,

 From Nelson's Bible Dictionary:

SODOM
[SOD um] (place of lime)-a city at the southern end of the Dead Sea
destroyed because of its wickedness (Gen 10:19; Rom 9:29). Together with
her sister cities-Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar-Sodom formed the famous
pentapolis of the plain or circle of the Jordan (Gen 10:19; 13:10; 14:2) in
the valley that surrounded the Dead Sea (Gen 14:3).
Although Sodom was a notoriously wicked city, when Lot separated himself
and his herdsmen from Abraham, he chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom (Gen
13:5-13). This was because the fertile plain that surrounded the city "was
well watered everywhere" (Gen 13:10).
When Sodom was plundered by CHEDORLAOMER, the goods and captives which he
carried away had to be rescued by Abraham (Gen 14:11,21-24). However, the
wickedness of the people of the city continued, and God finally had to
destroy Sodom. Fire and brimstone fell from heaven and consumed Sodom and
Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain. When Lot's wife looked back at
Sodom, she was instantly changed into a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26).
Early tradition held that the northern end of the Dead Sea was the Valley
of Sodom. But the geological conditions of the southern end of the Dead Sea
match those of the area around Sodom. Salt formations, asphalt, and sulfur
are found in large quantities here. Many scholars believe the cities of the
plain may be located beneath the shallow end of the Dead Sea. The basin
surrounding the shallow southern end of the Dead Sea is fed by five
streams, including the Wadi Zered (Num 21:12), which would have provided
for a fertile, well-watered plain. In addition, Zoar, one of the cities of
the plain (Gen 13:10), is reported by the Jewish historian Josephus to have
been visible during his time at the southern end of the sea.
The sin, vice, and infamy of Sodom and the judgment of God on this city is
referred to often throughout the Bible (Isa 1:9-10; Ezek 16:46-49; Amos
4:11; Rom 9:29).

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas
Nelson Publishers)

SODOM
SODOM
[SOD um] (place of lime)-a city at the southern end of the Dead Sea
destroyed because of its wickedness (Gen 10:19; Rom 9:29). Together with
her sister cities-Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar-Sodom formed the famous
pentapolis of the plain or circle of the Jordan (Gen 10:19; 13:10; 14:2) in
the valley that surrounded the Dead Sea (Gen 14:3).
Although Sodom was a notoriously wicked city, when Lot separated himself
and his herdsmen from Abraham, he chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom (Gen
13:5-13). This was because the fertile plain that surrounded the city "was
well watered everywhere" (Gen 13:10).
When Sodom was plundered by CHEDORLAOMER, the goods and captives which he
carried away had to be rescued by Abraham (Gen 14:11,21-24). However, the
wickedness of the people of the city continued, and God finally had to
destroy Sodom. Fire and brimstone fell from heaven and consumed Sodom and
Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain. When Lot's wife looked back at
Sodom, she was instantly changed into a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26).
Early tradition held that the northern end of the Dead Sea was the Valley
of Sodom. But the geological conditions of the southern end of the Dead Sea
match those of the area around Sodom. Salt formations, asphalt, and sulfur
are found in large quantities here. Many scholars believe the cities of the
plain may be located beneath the shallow end of the Dead Sea. The basin
surrounding the shallow southern end of the Dead Sea is fed by five
streams, including the Wadi Zered (Num 21:12), which would have provided
for a fertile, well-watered plain. In addition, Zoar, one of the cities of
the plain (Gen 13:10), is reported by the Jewish historian Josephus to have
been visible during his time at the southern end of the sea.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas
Nelson Publishers)