Jerusalem, May 9 (IANS) Israel plans to spend 8.5 million shekels (about $2.5 million) to advertise the Dead Sea - the world's saltiest body of water - at the international "Seven Wonders of Nature" contest, the tourism ministry said.

Israel has also asked Jordan and the Palestinian National Authority to help in the campaign, results of which are scheduled to be announced in November, Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

The Dead Sea is the world's saltiest body of water and is located at the lowest point on earth. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

"There is enormous significance, in economic and image terms, should the Dead Sea win an international campaign with over one billion voters," Misezhnikov said.

Among the 28 candidates in the contest are the Amazon river, the Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Maldives.

The contest will conclude Nov 11, 2011, with the announcement of the winners.