a province in southwestern Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea. Asir covers an area of 36,000 sq km. Its capital is at Abha. The province extends over the Tihama and the Asir Range. The population’s chief occupation is farming, and Asir accounts for 60 percent of Saudi Arabia’s cultivated land. Wheat, barley, and sorghum are grown on bogara. Salt is mined. Other economic activities include the processing of agricultural produce, cottage industry, shipping, and fishing. There is also trade in black coral and amber.