Ḥaʼil

Ḥaʼil
حَائِل
Qishlah Palace in Ḥaʼil
Ḥaʼil
Location of Ha'il
Coordinates: 27°31′N 41°41′E / 27.517°N 41.683°E / 27.517; 41.683
Country Saudi Arabia
ProvinceḤa'il Province
Government
  GovernorAbdulaziz bin Sa'ad bin Abdulaziz
  MayorIbrahim Aburas
Elevation
992 m (3,255 ft)
Population
 (2022 census)
  City
448,623
  Metro
498,575 (Ḥaʼil governorate)
Time zoneUTC+3
Area code(+966) 016
Websitewww.hail.gov.sa

Ḥaʼil (Arabic: حَائِل ʼil) is a city in north-western Saudi Arabia, (north of Najd), Between the Shammar Mountains (Arabic: جبال شمر) Aja and Salma, known to be home to the tribe of Shammar. It is the capital and largest city of Ḥa'il Province, with a population of about 498,575 (2022).

Ḥaʼil is largely agricultural, with significant grain, date, and fruit production. A large percentage of the kingdom's wheat production comes from Haʼil Province, where the area to the northeast, 60 to 100 km (37 to 62 miles) away, consists of irrigated gardens. Historically, Haʼil derived its wealth from being on the camel caravan route of the Hajj. Haʼil 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 Rashid royal family, historical rivals to Saudi royal family.