Back to Terrain
Hills is a terrain feature in Civilization VI. It is found everywhere in the world.
- Yield modifier: +1
Production. - Confers a Defense bonus to units defending in it
- Provides a vantage point for ranged units
- If a city is founded on Hills, the city gains a defensive bonus, making it harder for an enemy to capture it.
Below is a list of all the Hills variants and their yields:
Desert (Hills): +1 Production
Grassland (Hills): +2 
Food, +1 Production
Plains (Hills): +1 Food, +2 Production
Snow (Hills): +1 Production
Tundra (Hills): +1 Food, +1 Production
Strategy
Hills are one of the most basic features of the land, and it is hard to state all their advantages. First, Hills ensure extra Production to cities (moreso with Woods), without any improvement. Second, a Mine can always be constructed on a Hill even without it containing any resources. The only drawback is that they restrict farmland placement, but Civil Engineering helps to circumvent this limitation for Hills in Plains and Grassland.
Third, Hills provide defensive ground in the event of combat. Ranged units on Hills enjoy both this defensive advantage and a vantage point from which they can shoot at anything in their full range (unless there are other Hills with Woods or Rainforest on them)!
However, it is generally true that a city in hilly land will have trouble feeding its population, especially in the beginning. The Sheep bonus resource, however, helps splendidly with this, since it gives bonus Food, and it's found exclusively on Hills.
Historical Context
Desert
Even less appealing than flat desert, about the only thing desert hills are good for is defending in a battle. Unfortunately, the Bedouins, Tuaregs, Berbers, and other desert tribesmen tended to just charge wildly down them.
Grassland
One way to protect all those riches was to put troops on top of hills when attacked, for (until bullets and bombs were invented) holding the high ground was a pretty good strategy. Thus, in time, hills were dotted by civilization's forts and castles, with fine views over the surrounding countryside.
Plains
Hills in plains tend to be landmarks ... just think of the highest point in Iowa, Hawkeye Point, at a stunning 1670 feet (510 meters). Given the flatness all about, these do give nice lines of sight for long distances over the endless, boring vistas.
Snow
Very picturesque, very invigorating, beloved of skiers and ski jumpers and other fools. Snow on hills is very nice, and a lot of fun ... unless it never melts.
Tundra
Hills in tundra lands tend to be barren lumps, for the annual melt carries away the soil and seedlings. However, through history, most towns built in the tundra were put on hills ... which helped keep the wolves and bears out of the streets.