Ayn, Ras al-

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AYN, RAS AL-

Town in northeastern Syria near the border with Turkey.

This Syrian town has one of the world's largest karst springs, which are formed from Paleogenic (nummilitic) and marine Miocene limestone. The springs' average annual discharge is estimated at 1,056 gallons (4,000 liters per second) or 1,594 million cubic yards (1,219 million cu m). The springs form the Khabur River, which flows south into the Euphrates River near Dayr al-Zawr in Syria's province of Dayr al-Zawr. They have been called the "Queen of Springs" on account of their high, exceptionally steady discharge throughout the year.

Abdul-Karim Rafeq