About Hafr Albatin
Hafar Al-Batin is a city located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, which is the country’s largest province in size, near the border of Iraq and Kuwait. With a population of 600 thousand it is the largest city in the province. Due to its location on the pilgrimage route throughout history, Hafar Al-Batin is of paramount importance.
Pilgrims travelling from Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and Eastern Anatolia complained about the lack of water on the route, which compelled a companion of prophet Muhammad, Abu-Musa al-Asha’ari to dig new wells in the Al-Batin valley along the pilgrimage route. Today the city, which was established around this valley, is a trade center that manufactures and sells oil products. Hafar Al-Batin is an important production center of the Eastern Province, which borders Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. The city has many factories and commercial areas that produce chemicals like polyester and cellulose.
Therefore the city is an example of industrial advancement and development for the country. There are two airports that serve Hafar Al-Batin. The Al Qaisumah/Hafr Al Batin Airport, which is located 20 km southeast of the city and the King Khaled Military City Airport, which is located 70 km southwest of the city. Both airports only serve domestic flights.