Azraq Wetland Reserve is one of the nature reserves in Jordan, located near the Azraq Oasis in the eastern desert of the Jordanian territory and near the city of Azraq. It is about 120 km away from the capital, Amman, near the Shaumari Reserve. It has an area of 12 square kilometers
This is one of the best places to visit in Jordan for nature lovers and bird watchers. It was established in 1978 to preserve the land and protect migratory birds in this region.
It was named after the Azraq Aquatic Oasis, which forms part of its area and is covered with ponds, swamps, and aquatic plants. The reserve protects the birds that live or move near the swamps, ponds, and water reserves in the Azraq Reserve. The number of birds that pass through it is estimated at half a million birds annually. Blue is a place of residence for migratory birds between Africa and Asia. About 307 species of birds have been recorded there. Under the Ramsar Treaty of Iran, the Azraq Reserve was considered an aquatic area of international importance for migratory birds. Azraq Reserve is also rich in plant and animal wildlife and is almost covered with aquatic plants such as allies, reeds, legumes, and the local aromatic tamarisk. Among its most important wild animals are jackals, red foxes, striped hyenas, wolves, lynxes, and many rodents.
Many services are available in the reserve, and there is a circular wooden corridor that wraps around and inside the water basins and gives the visitor complete information and scenes about the reserve. There is also a special site to see birds through glass windows. In addition, the reserve has a visitor center equipped with modern educational and instructional facilities. There are also some archaeological sites in the reserve, the most important of which is a small Umayyad dam to retain water.
The reserve is located at an altitude of 491 meters above sea level and is a unique wetland where many organisms can survive a period of unfavorable conditions such as freezing. Annual precipitation in the Azraq basin ranges between 350 mm in the north and less than 75 mm in the south and from 180 mm in the west to less than 50 mm in the east, with long-term rainfall of 90 mm per year. The reserve has a hot climate in the summer, very cold, and low humidity in the winter
You can also find here the ancient ruins of the Umayyad Canal, which give a glimpse into the rich history of this place. There is also a small museum on the premises of this sanctuary, which provides information regarding the thriving past of the wetlands in this area. This sanctuary aims not only to protect the environment and animals but also to educate visitors about the impact of human interaction on nature.
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