The Hauran is a region that spans parts of southern Syria and northern Jordan. It is bound in the north by the Ghouta oasis, eastwards by the al-Safa field, to the south by Jordan's desert steppe and to the west by the Golan Heights. Traditionally, the Hauran consists of three subregions: the Nuqrah and Jaydur plains, the Jabal al-Druze massif, and the Lajat volcanic field. The population of the Hauran is largely Arab, but religiously heterogeneous; most inhabitants of the plains are Sunni Muslims belonging to large agrarian clans, while Druze form the majority in the eponymous Jabal al-Druze and a significant Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic minority inhabit the western foothills of Jabal al-Druze. The region's largest towns are Daraa, al-Ramtha and al-Suwayda.
The Tell al-Hara volcanic cone in the Jaydur region of the Hauran plain, as seen from the Golan Heights to the west
The land of the Hauran plain is arable, consisting of basalt-derived soil, while the Lajat (pictured) has stony ground and scarce vegetation
The highest point of the Jabal Hauran (pictured) is over 1,800 meters above sea level
The Roman amphitheater of Bosra
Ghouta is a countryside and suburban area in southwestern Syria that surrounds the city of Damascus along its eastern and southern rim.
View of Ghouta from the mountains surrounding the area
A satellite view of Damascus in 2006
