The Occupied Syrian Arab Golan
The Golan Heights represent a sparsely populated and hilly region in the Middle East. Strictly speaking the Golan Heights, rising from 400 to 1,700 feet in the western area, are in the Syrian Governorate Al-Qunaitra. Since the so-called Six-Day War in 1967, the Golan Heights are captured and occupied by Israel. In 1981, Israel annexed the territory around the Golan Heights and since then administers it as ‘Golan sub-district’ of its district in the North of the country. Because of the fact that the Golan Heights are still occupied by Israel, its general status proves to be a remarkable and considerable obstacle regarding the peace negotiations between the two countries.
Geographically it has to be mentioned that the Golan Heights do represent a sp-called plateau of volcanic origin between the Sea of Galilee and the Syrian capital Damascus. Whereas a large part of this area is approximately 1,000 metres above sea level, the whole Golan Heights are characterized to have a length of 60 kilometres and a width of 25 kilometres. The highest point is Mount Hermon, rising in the North of the Golan Heights up to 2,814 metres. Because of this respectable height, in winter it turns out to be a very snowy area. Consequently, a ski area near the Israeli settlement of Newe Atiw could be set up. Strictly speaking, this area is one of those regions that are dominated by Israel.
Regarding the etymology of “Golan” it can be said that this term refers to biblical as well as historical names for the southern portion of the whole area or region. Strictly speaking the term ‘Golan’ is of Semitic origin and points to the very name of a city that is mentioned in the holy Bible. This city is described as one of those Cities of Refuge that are located in the East of the Jordan River. In addition to the general term ‘Golan’, other names that are also used in this context are ‘Gaulan’ and ‘Jaulan’.
Furthermore the name ‘Golan Heights’ was also characterized to have a political meaning, in particular referring to the very land, area or region that is occupied by Israel. Today, the term ‘Golan Heights’ actually possesses two different central meanings, one political and one geographic.