Oran

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Fortified seaport and commercial and manufacturing centre in Algeria, 5 km/3 mi from the port of Mers-el-Kebir; population (1998) city 692,500; urban agglomeration 991,900. Industries include cigarettes, iron, plastics, textiles, footwear, and processed food; the port also trades in wine, grain, wool, vegetables, citrus fruits, and native esparto grass. Natural gas is brought to the city via a pipeline from the Sahara, and hydrocarbons are exported. Oran is linked by rail to Algiers, Béchar, and Morocco, and there is an international airport at nearby Es-Senia. The University of Oran was established in 1965 and the University of Science and Technology of Oran dates from 1975.

History
Oran was part of the Ottoman Empire, except when it was under Spanish rule 1509–1708 and 1732–91. It was abandoned by Spain after being largely destroyed by earthquakes. It was occupied by France in 1831. After the surrender of France to Germany in 1940, the French warships in the naval base of Mers-el-Kebir nearby were put out of action by the British navy to prevent them from falling into German hands. Most of the European population left the city during the War of Independence (1954–62). The municipal museum is now housed in the Santa Cruz fortress built in the 16th century during the period of Spanish rule.

The single star represents the unity of the former French and British territories. Effective date: 20 May 1975. >>