Azraq Wetland Reserve, Nature reserve and Ramsar site in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan.
Azraq Wetland Reserve is a protected area in eastern Jordan defined by natural water pools, flowing streams, and marshland sitting between limestone and basalt deserts. The terrain consists of shallow shorelines and thick reed beds surrounded by otherwise dry landscape.
The wetlands formed approximately 250,000 years ago and became a crucial stopping point for ancient trade caravans moving between Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Syria. This location made it an essential supply hub for travelers crossing vast distances.
The name Azraq comes from the Arabic word for blue, evoking the water pools that make this place look like an oasis surrounded by desert. The wetlands and reed zones have long been a gathering spot for migratory birds that rest here during their journeys.
A raised walkway called the Marsh Trail winds about 1.5 kilometers through the reserve, allowing visitors to move safely through the wetlands and view the habitat. Observation platforms and viewing huts are positioned at key spots for watching birds and wildlife.
The reserve is home to the Azraq Killifish, a fish found nowhere else in the world in the wild. This small species coexists with roughly 350 bird species and more than 130 plant varieties.
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