a seaport-town of Algeria, capital of a military division and of a prefecture, stands at the head of a bay on the Mediterranean, 209 miles S.W. of Algiers; N. Lat. 35° 44', W. Long. 0° 41'. It is built on the two slopes of a ravine, which is traversed by a stream, here crossed by two bridges. As it is for the most part of modern origin, the streets are regular, and lined with handsome buildings. The defences of the place consist of three forts, which command the roadstead of Oran, and the road to the neighbouring harbour of Mers-el-Kebir, one of the best on this coast. The parish church was originally a Mohammedan mosque; and another church, now connected with an hospital, was built by the Spaniards in the time of Charles V.

There are also an arsenal, artillery and cavalry barracks, and some fine gardens. The roadstead at Oran is bad and unsheltered; but the harbour of Mers-el-Kebir is only 3 miles to the north of the town. By means of this port a considerable trade is carried on with Morocco and Spain. Oran was taken by the Spaniards in 1509, and occupied by them till 1708. They again obtained possession of the town in 1732; but in 1790 it was much injured by an earthquake, and more so by the Moors, who besieged the town, and compelled the Spaniards to surrender it. When the French, in 1830, established themselves here, it was in a very ruinous condition. It is now, however, the second Christian city in Algeria, with a population of 20,775, of whom 13,560 are Europeans.