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Jordan calls for voting for Dead Sea as top wonder

By Mash-Hour Abu Eid

AMMAN, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- Jordanian officials have called on Jordanian citizens and Arabs to vote for the Dead Sea in a global Internet poll to choose the seven wonders of the natural world.
Name of the Dead Sea is derived from the fact that its high salt density is estimated at some 350 grams per liter. The sea, the lowest location in the world, 400 meters below sea level, is contesting vis a vis 28 sites that have reached the finals, following the preliminary competition that grouped up to 300 sites.
The salty lake is in the running for a place alongside spectacular natural phenomena such as the Amazon River, the Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.
If the Dead Sea wins the contest, it will be the second time that Jordan is granted this crown. The ancient town of Petra won the first round in 2007.
Other contenders include Venezuela's Angel Falls, Canada's Bay of Fundy, the Maldives islands, Italy's Vesuvius volcano, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina, Lebanon's Jeita Grotto, Indonesia's Komodo national park and the Puerto Princesa underground river in the Philippines. The Dead Sea is shared by Israel, Jordan and the West Bank.
In a statement to KUNA, Minister of Tourism Nayef Al-Fayez affirmed significance of winning this international contest, considering projected positive impact on tourism, investment and economic sectors.
Affirming that his department has been involved in rallying support for the Dead Sea, Al-Fayez urged Arabs, namely Kuwaiti citizens, to cast their votes on the Internet for it. As to the technique of casting the ballot, he said it could be done either via the e-mail or mobile telephones. For Kuwaitis, voting can be done through the phone number: 0016493398080.
Elaborating, he said the number of tourists visiting Petra has increased from 581,000 in 2007 to 975,000 in 2010, rising by 68 percent -- as a result of choosing it as the world's number-one attractive site.
The voting is organized by the Swiss-based non-profitable organization, New Seven Wonders. (end) ab.rk KUNA 071139 Nov 11NNNN