Azraq

Azraq has long been an important settlement in a remote and now-arid desert area of Jordan. The strategic value of the town and its castle (Qasr Azraq) is that it lies in the middle of the Azraq oasis, the only permanent source of fresh water in approximately 12,000 km2 (4,600 sq mi) of desert. The town is also located on a major desert route that would have facilitated trade within the region.

Azraq is also the site of one of Jordan’s seven protected nature reserve areas (set up by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature): the Azraq Wetlands Reserve in Azraq al-Janoubi (South Azraq).

The separate and larger Shaumari reserve is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of the town.

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