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Golan Heights is a region in the Levant spanning about 1,800 square kilometers. The area is recognized internationally as part of Syria, but is currently under Israeli control. The western two-thirds of this region, approximately 1,200 square kilometers, has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1981, the Israeli government passed the Golan Heights Law, extending Israeli law and administration throughout the territory, in effect annexing it. This move has never been recognized by the United Nations or the international community, who consider the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation.
The land is mostly rocky and has a diverse topography with mountains, valleys, and plains. It has fertile volcanic soils that support agriculture, including vineyards, orchards and grain crops. The area has a cool, temperate climate with long, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
The region is also significant for its water resources as it provides a large portion of Israel's fresh water supply. Strategically, it is a key point giving Israel a vantage point for monitoring Syrian movements.
The Golan Heights has a population of an estimated 50,000 people including Israeli settlers, Syrian Arabs, and a small group of Syrian Circassians.
Despite peace negotiations between Israel and Syria, the status of the Golan Heights remains a major issue of disagreement. The most recent development saw the US, under President Trump in 2019, recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, in a move that was widely criticized and opposed at the UN for being contrary to international law.