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 Carthage in Spain. It is about a mile and an half in circumference, and well fortified, but commanded by the adjacent hills. It was taken by the Spaniards in 1500, and retaken by the Algerines in 1788; but in 1732 the Spaniards became masters of it, and have continued so ever since. E. Long. 0. 8. N. Lat. 36. 2.