ORAN, a very strong and important town of Africa, in Barbary, and in the kingdom of Tremecen, with several forts, and an excellent harbour. It is seated partly on the side of a hill, and partly on a plain, about a stone-cast from the sea, almost opposite to Carthagna in Spain. It is about a mile and an half in circumference, and well fortified, but com-
manded by the adjacent hills. It was taken by the Spaniards in 1509, and retaken by the Algerines in 1708; but in 1732 the Spaniards become masters of it, and have continued so ever since. E. Long. 5. 5. N. Lat. 37. 40.