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This article is about the city in Algeria. For other uses see Oran (disambiguation).

View of Oran from the old Spanish church-fort of Santa Cruz

Coat of arms of Oran

Oran (Arabic: وهران, pronounced Wahran) is a city in northwestern Algeria, situated on the Mediterranean coast. During French rule in Algeria Oran was the prefecture of the Oran département. It now is the capital of the much smaller Oran Province (wilaya). The city has a population of ca. 1 million and the urban area has a population of ca. 2 million. ^[1] Oran is a major port and a commercial and industrial center in Western Algeria. Today, Oran is a major port and a commercial centre, and has 3 universities. The old quarter of Oran has a casbah and an 18th-century mosque.

The name "Oran" is a French transliteration of "Wahran" which is locally believed to originate from the Berber word "wahr", meaning lion, and the suffix "-an" meaning two, hence Wahran means "two lions". A locally popular legend tells that in the period around 900 BC there were sightings of lions in the area. The two last felines were killed in a mountain near the city of Oran which is called now La montagne des Lions (Mountain of Lions). In fact, there are two giant lion statues in front of Oran's city hall. The twin lions are Oran's symbol.

Oran was founded in 903 by Moorish Andalusian traders,^[2] but was captured by the Spanish under Cardinal Cisneros in 1509. Spanish sovereignty lasted until 1708, when the city was conquered by the Ottomans. Spain returned in 1732 taking the city over again. However, its value as trade post had decreased greatly, so King Charles IV sold the city to the Turkish. Ottoman rule lasted until 1831, when it fell to the French. During the French colonial rule over Algeria, Oran was the capital of a département of the same name (number 92).

During World War II, Oran was held by Vichy France until it was captured by the Allies in late 1942, during Operation Torch.

In July 1940, the British Royal Navy shelled French warships in the port after they refused to respond to a British ultimatum designed to ensure they would not fall into German hands. The action sealed the hatred of Vichy France for Britain but convinced the world, especially the United States, of the British will to fight on alone against Nazi Germany and its allies.

Before the Algerian War of Independence, Oran had one of the highest proportions of Europeans of any city in North Africa. However, by the end of the war, most of the Europeans and Jews living in Oran had fled to France. The July 5, 1962 massacre of European civilians, four days after the Independence vote, triggered the exodus to France. In less than three months Oran lost about half its population.

In the 1960's, the city became an important business and education centre.

The folk music Raï had its beginnings in Oran. Many famous Raï musicians (including Cheb Hasni, Cheb Khaled and Rachid Taha) hail from Oran. The violinist Akim el Sikameya was also born in Oran. El Gallardo Español 1615 by Miguel de Cervantes and Albert Camus's 1947 novel The Plague take place in Oran.

1. ^ About Oran - from the official website of the city.
2. ^ 'The Jewish Community of Oran

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Oran

• VisitOran Official website - mostly dedicated to tourism. Features news, city guides, tourism information, countless photos, a community forum and much more.
• Sheraton Oran Hotel Information and pictures for the Sheraton Hotel & Towers Oran.
• Royal Hotel Oran Information and pictures for the new Royal Hotel Sofitel Oran.
• Oran's Community FORUM The Community Discussion Forum for Oran and tourism.
• (English) Audio interview with Oran resident about life in Oran.
• Oran MAPS Detailed maps of the Oran Region and City.
• (French) Oran Website (fr)

• Oran is at coordinates 35°41′49″N 0°37′59″W / 35.6969, -0.6331Coordinates: 35°41′49″N 0°37′59″W / 35.6969, -0.6331