Al-ʿAra'is Pond
| Al-Arayes Pond | |
|---|---|
View of the lake | |
| Coordinates | 32°42′13″N 35°41′50″E / 32.70361°N 35.69722°E |
| Type | Natural Pond |
| Primary inflows | Major inflow sources — rainfall and underground aquifers |
| Basin countries | Jordan |
| Max. length | 10 dunums (10,000 m2) |
| Max. width | 0.1 km (0 mi) (Approx. 100 meters) |
| Surface area | 32 km2 (7,907 acres) (Approx. 7,915.2 acres) |
| Average depth | 50 m (164 ft) |
| Max. depth | 60 m (197 ft) |
| Water volume | 200,000 m3 (0 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 300 m (984 ft) |
| Frozen | Never |
| Islands | None |
| Sections/sub-basins | Overview |
| Settlements | Malka, Irbid Governorate, Jordan |
| References | |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
.png){kind=link}
Al-Arayes Pond or Al-ʿAra'is Pond (Arabic: بركة العرايس, romanized: Birket Al-ʿAra'is, lit. 'Brides' Lake') is a natural water body located in the village of Malka, within the Bani Kinanah district of Irbid Governorate in northern Jordan. Situated approximately 500 meters south of the Yarmouk River and near the Jordanian Hamma and Al-Wehda Dam, the pond lies opposite the Golan Heights, with the Yarmouk River serving as the boundary.
Renowned as one of the largest ponds in the Arab world, the ِAl-Arayes Pond holds significant ecological and geographical importance within Jordan. It is distinguished by its unique location, which makes it an ideal destination for recreation and eco-tourism. It serves as a vibrant reservoir of biodiversity in Jordan. Situated in the warm region of the Mediterranean biome, the pond lies along the migratory path of various bird species. Nestled among a series of mountains, it is home to diverse and rare wildlife, including many endangered animals and birds.
The surrounding area is rich with dense vegetation, featuring prominent tree species such as oak, hawthorn, serviceberry, and maple. The pond and its environs are also home to over a thousand species of herbaceous plants, representing the rich flora of the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the ِAl-Arayes Pond is a critical habitat for most of the reptile species recorded in Jordan.