Qa_al-Bawn
The al-Bawn plain, or Qā‘ al-Bawn, is a plain located in north-central Yemen, in 'Amran Governorate.[1] It is located just to the north of the Sanaa plain, with the two being separated by a rocky area formed by volcanic activity, and the high point between them being Jabal Din.[2] Al-Bawn stretches from southwest to northeast, with the southwestern part being higher (al-Bawn al-A‘la) and the northeastern part being lower (al-Bawn al-Asfal).[2] The main part of al-Bawn is mostly flat and under extensive cultivation.[2] It is relatively dry, receiving on average 300-400 mm of rainfall annually.[2] The plain is drained toward the northeast, passing through a narrow volcanic gorge toward Wadi al-Kharid and ultimately al-Jawf.[2] The main settlements in al-Bawn are Raydah in the central part and 'Amran in the south.[2]
The Qa‘ al-Bawn is traditionally divided into two parts: the greater Bawn, or al-Bawn al-Kabir, forms most of it, while the lesser Bawn, or al-Bawn al-Saghir, is the smaller area at the southern end of the plain, west of 'Amran.[2] To the northwest, the plain around Hamidah (Qa‘ Hamidah) is also sometimes counted as part of the Qa‘ al-Bawn, under the name al-Bawn al-Dakhili.[2] The southwestern part of the Qa‘ al-Bawn rises gradually towards the foot of Masani‘, a plateau with steep sides.[2] On the north, the plain borders the al-Zahir plateau, and to the west is the plateau of Jabal Iyal Yazid, which is part of the same formation as al-Zahir.[2] To the east is the upland tribal area of Arhab.[2]
