hull

Hull, officially Kingston upon Hull and commonly referred to simply as Hull, is a port city and unitary authority in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It sits on the River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary, about 25 miles from the North Sea coast. The city forms a metropolitan area with around 260,000 residents, making it the largest settlement in the region. It is governed by the City of Kingston upon Hull, a unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Yorkshire and the Humber. The city has a long maritime heritage and a historic Old Town.

Hull has a long maritime history as a trading and fishing port from the medieval period onward. The port remains a center for shipping, logistics and industry on the Humber. The local economy also includes education, health, public administration, manufacturing and digital sectors. The Port of Hull is operated by Associated British Ports and handles cargo, bulk goods and cruise ships.

Notable institutions include the University of Hull (founded 1927) and cultural venues such as The Deep, the Hull Maritime Museum and Ferens Art Gallery. The city was designated UK City of Culture in 2017, a program that expanded arts, culture and tourism. Sporting teams include Hull City AFC and rugby league clubs Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers.

The term hull can also denote the outer shell of a ship or the outer covering of a seed.