description Azraq Oasis Overview
Azraq Oasis is a crucial ecological wetland reserve located in the eastern desert of Jordan, sustained by natural artesian springs. Historically, it spanned thousands of acres and served as an essential resting and breeding ground for millions of migratory birds traversing the African-Eurasian flyway. Heavy extraction to supply major cities with drinking water caused severe depletion in the late 20th century, drastically shrinking the wetland and prompting ongoing conservation efforts to restore its hydrology.
help Azraq Oasis FAQ
Where is Azraq Oasis?
Azraq Oasis lies in Jordan's eastern desert in Zarqa Governorate. Its wetland is sustained by groundwater and artesian springs, making it a rare permanent water environment in an otherwise arid region.
Why is Azraq Oasis important for birds?
Azraq sits on the Africa-Eurasia migration flyway and provides a resting, wintering, and breeding site for waterbirds. UNESCO reports that the wetland once attracted up to half a million migrating birds at one time.
What happened to the water at Azraq Oasis?
Heavy groundwater extraction left no surface water in the wetland by 1993. An internationally supported rescue effort began in 1994, and parts of the wetland were restored, as described by [UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5156/).
What is the Azraq killifish?
The Azraq killifish, Aphanius sirhani, is the only endemic fish species native to Jordan. The species is closely tied to the oasis, which is also recognized as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention.
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