DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The occupied Syrian Golan covers an area of 1,860 square kilometers to the southwest of Syria. It is a volcanic plateau and it is considered the extension of al-Sheikh Mountain. Palestine in the west, Jordan in the south, Lebanon in the north and Daraa in the east constitute the borders of the Golan.

The heavy snow in the winter adds to the beauty and charm of the Syrian Golan, in addition to the fresh air, pure water springs and green fields in the spring and summer seasons turn the region into a heaven on earth, said research Mohammad Abdo al-Ibrahim, one of the region's inhabitants who were forced to leave their homes and fields by the Israeli occupation.

Al-Ibrahim said the highest point in the Golan is 2814 meters above sea level at Jabal al-Sheikh mountain while the lowest point reaches 116 meters below sea level in Lake Tiberias.

He added the climate and rich soil in the region helped produce three crops a year with the temperatures increasing in the eastern and southern parts.

Al-Ibrahim indicated that Jabal al-Sheikh or as it is named by its people "White Elder" is the most important and the highest mountain in the Golan.

Archeological findings dating back to the Stone and Bronze ages (Circa 7000 B.C.) showed that the region has been inhabited since ancient times, in addition to being a witness to successive civilizations such as the Canaanite, Aramaic, Roman and Islamic ones, added al-Ibrahim.

The Golan is known for agriculture, livestock and fishing, said al-Ibrahim, adding that heavy rains contributed to enhancing rainfed agriculture.

He added that wheat is the most important crop produced in the region, in addition to the well-known Golan apple, legumes, vegetables, banana and other fruits.

The Golan is rich in natural reserves, forests, surface water and ground water, particularly in the period between September and May due to the heavy rains and snow which cover Jabal al-Sheikh mountain for three seasons.

R. Raslan/ H. Sabbagh