Azraq Oasis

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Azraq Oasis

  • Country: 
    Jordan
  • Site number: 
    135
  • Area: 
    7,372 ha
  • Designation date: 
    10-01-1977
  • Coordinates: 
    31°48'N 36°48'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Azraq Oasis. 10/01/77; 7,372 ha; 31°49'N 036°48'E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990. Waterbird Reserve. A formerly permanent, spring-fed wetland and extensive (6,127ha) seasonally-flooded mudflat of a large drainage basin. Under natural conditions, the lush oasis supported reed and sedge communities restricted to Jordan and Azraq. It is a valuable staging area for migrating birds and serves as an important water supply for local communities, as well as the main water source for the capital city, Amman. Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 because unsustainable groundwater extraction led to the almost complete desiccation of the site. In February 1998 it was reported that phase one of the physical rehabilitation was almost complete, and the next phase involving addressing the social and economic concerns of the people living in the site vicinity would begin. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 1990. Ramsar site no. 135. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

Administrative region: 
Zarqa Governate

  • National legal designation: 
    • wetland reserve
  • Last publication date: 
    01-01-1998

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Site map

Additional reports and documents

Ramsar Advisory Missions