houran

Houran, also spelled Hauran or Hourān, refers to a volcanic plateau and fertile plain in southwestern Syria that extends into northern Jordan. The region is defined by thick basaltic lava flows that created a broad, elevated plain, with the Golan Heights to the west and the Syrian steppe to the east. Its soils are dark and productive, supporting mixed agriculture in suitable zones, especially where irrigation is available. The climate is semi-arid, with hot summers and seasonal rainfall that varies across the landscape.

Historically, the Hauran has been a significant agricultural and strategic corridor in the Levant. It includes the ancient city of Bosra, notable for its Roman theater and well-preserved urban plan, which lies on the edge of the plain and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region also contains numerous archaeological sites and tells that reflect its long history under Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influence. In antiquity the Hauran served as a frontier zone and hub for trade routes linking the interior with the Mediterranean.

In modern times, the Hauran spans parts of Syria’s Daraa and al-Suwayda Governorates and extends into northern Jordan. It remains an important agricultural area, producing wheat, barley, olives, grapes, and other crops, often through irrigation in valleys and around towns. The area has experienced disruption during the Syrian Civil War, with shifting control and effects on rural communities. The Hauran is recognized for its geological interest as a basaltic volcanic field and for its historic sites, including Bosra.