Ḥāʾil (Saudi Arabia)

Hail (Arabic: حائل, Ḥāʾil) is a city in north-western Saudi Arabia, located between the Shammar Mountains of Aja and Salma. It is the seat and largest city of Hail Province. As of 2022, Hail has a population of 498,575. Hail is largely agricultural, with significant grain, date, and fruit production. A large percentage of the kingdom's wheat production comes from Hail Province, where the area to the northeast, 60 to 100 km (37 to 62 miles) away, consists of irrigated gardens. Historically, Hail derived its wealth from being on the camel caravan route of the Hajj. Hail is well known for the generosity of its people throughout Saudi Arabia and the Arab world as it is the place where Hatim al-Tai lived. It is also the homeland of the Rashidi dynasty, historical rivals to the House of Saud.