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Oran (Arabic:, pronounced Wahran; also transliterated as Ouahran, French: Oran. From the Berber word Wahran, the plural of Wahra, i.e. "lion", hence Wahran means "two lions") is a city on the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Algeria. Oran marked the largest westernmost metropolitan area of the then Ottoman Empire. During French rule in Algeria Oran was a prefecture in the Oran département. It is now the capital of the much smaller Oran Province (wilaya).
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Encyclopedia
Oran (Arabic:, pronounced Wahran; also transliterated as Ouahran, French: Oran. From the Berber word Wahran, the plural of Wahra, i.e. "lion", hence Wahran means "two lions") is a city on the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Algeria. Oran marked the largest westernmost metropolitan area of the then Ottoman Empire. During French rule in Algeria Oran was a prefecture in the Oran département. It is now the capital of the much smaller Oran Province (wilaya). The city has a population of about 1 million, and the urban area has a population of about 2 million making it the 2nd largest city in Algeria. Oran is a major port, and since the 1960s has been a commercial, industrial, and educational centre for Western Algeria.
History
Oran was founded in 903 by Moorish Andalusian traders 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 recaptured the city in 1732. However, its value as a trading post had decreased greatly, so King Charles IV sold the city to the Turks in 1792. Ottoman rule lasted until 1831, when it fell to the French.
During French rule over Algeria, Oran was the capital of a département of the same name (number 92). In July 1940, the British navy shelled French warships in the port after they refused a British ultimatum designed to ensure they would not fall into German hands. The action increased the hatred of the Vichy regime for Britain but convinced the world of the British will to fight on alone against Nazi Germany and its allies. The puppet Vichy government held Oran during World War II until its capture by the Allies in late 1942, during Operation Torch.
Before the Algerian War of Independence, 1954-1962, 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 Sephardic Jews living in Oran had fled to France. A massacre of Europeans, four days after the vote for Algerian independence, triggered the exodus to France. In less than three months Oran lost about half its population.
Berber-Arab-Islamic Period
- 910–1082: Oran became a perpetual object of conflict between the Umayyads of Spain and the Fatimides of Kairouan.
- 1082–1145: Presence of Almoravides of Morocco. In 1145, Ibrahim Ben Ta chfin perished in Oran while fighting against the already victorious Almohades troops in front of Tlemcen.
- 1145–1238: Presence of Almohades of Marrakech. 1147 marked the beginning of persecution against Oran's Jews.
- 1238–1509: Presence of the Zianides of Tlemcen and then the Marinid dynasty of Fes. The protection by the Emir, the customs system (tariffs), trade with Marseilles, and the Italian Maritime Republics of Genoa and Venice, with whom,in 1250, Oran signed a commercial treaty of forty year's duration, made the Oranians rich. So much so, that toward the end of the XIVth century, celebrated Arab historian Ibn Khaldoun wrote the following, "Oran is superior to all other cities by its trade. It's a paradise for the unhappy one. Those who arrive poor in its walls, will leave it again rich." The city excelled in the exportation of lead, wool, skins, fine burnous, carpets, haïks, cumin, nuts, and galls, without forgetting the draft of black slaves.
Spanish Period
Before the Spaniards, the Portuguese launched a failed expedition to capture the city in July 1501. Four years later, the Spanish took Mers-el-Kébir, located just four miles to the west of the Oran. Thus began the first organized incursions against the city which, at the time, numbered 25,000 inhabitants and counted 6,000 fueros. Count Pedro Navarro, on the orders of Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, captured the city on May 17 1509.
By 1554, the Turks had reach Algiers, and then governor of Oran, Count d'Alcaudete, allied himself with Moroccan Sultan Mohammed ash-Sheikh against them. Nine years later, in 1563, Álvaro de Bazán, Marquis de Santa Cruz, built the fort of Santa-Cruz, strategically placed at the top of a mountain, l'Aïdour, more than 1,000' above the sea, directly to the west of the city. Pedro Garcerán de Borja, Grand Master of the Order of Montesa, was captain of Oran when, on July 14, 1568, John of Austria (the illegitimate son of Charles I and thus the paternal half-brother of King Philip II), led a flotilla of 33 galleys against the Algerians.
The Spanish rebuilt the fortress of Santa Cruz to accommodate their city governors. "The fortifications of the place were composed of thick and continuous walls of over two and a half kilometers in circumference, surmounted by strong towers spaced between them," with a central castle or kasbah where the Spanish governor established his headquarters. The city under Spanish rule continued to grow, requiring enlargement of the city walls. In spite of the improved fortifications, the city was the object of repeated attacks. Notable in this regard, Moroccan Sharif Moulay Ismail tried to force his way past the defenses in 1707, only to see his army decimated.
Ottoman Period
The Spaniards occupied the city until 1708, when they were driven out by Turkish Bey Mustapha Ben Youssef (also known as Bouchelaghem). The Spanish returned in 1732 when the armada of the Duke of Montemar was victorious in the Battle of Aïn-el-Turk.
In the night after October 8, 1790, a violent earthquake claimed more than 3,000 victims in less than seven minutes. Thereafter King Charles IV saw no advantage in continuing the occupation of the city, which had become increasingly expensive and perilous. He initiated discussions with the Bey of Algiers. A treaty handing over the city was signed on September 12, 1792. After another earthquake had damaged the Spanish defences, Bey Ben Othman's forces took possession of Oran on October 8 of the same year. In 1796, the Pasha Mosque (in honour of Hassan Pasha, Dey of Algeria), was built by the Turks with ransom money paid for the release of Spanish prisoners after Spain's final departure. In 1830 the Beys moved their capital from Mascara to Oran.
French Period
The town of 10,000 inhabitants was still in the possession of the Ottoman Empire, when a squadron under the command of captain Bourmand seized el-Kébir on December 14 1830. The city was in a wretched state. On January 4 1831, the French commanded by General Denys de Damrémont occupied Oran. In September 1830 the King appointed a police chief with the function of mayor in Algiers.
In September 1831, General Berthezène made Mr. Pujol, captain of cavalry in retirement and wounded at the right hand under the Empire, mayor of Oran.
In 1832, at the head of five thousand men, a young Emir called Abd al-Qadir attacks Oran. In April 1833, commander-in-chief, General Boyer, leaves Oran and is replaced by the baron Louis Alexis Desmichels. The city, attacked by Abd el Kader, holds good.
- 1836: General Létang transforms the glacis Castle-Nine into a walk which bears its name. At the beginning of 1837 General Bugeaud arrives in Oran to negotiate a new treaty (The Treaty of Tafna, May 20) with Emir Abd El-Kader. On November 14 the Emir signs a treaty with Desmichel recognizing its authority to the west of Algiers except for Oran, Mostaganem and Arzew.
- 1845: Construction of the "Village Nègre" by General Lamoricière .
- 1847: Following a dramatic dryness during several months, a terrible epidemic of cholera strikes and decimates a big part of the population of Oran.
- From 1848, Oran becomes prefecture of the department of the same name. Creation of the small Basin of the Old Port (four hectares). A civil hospital is built.
- 1849: Construction of the vault of the Virgin to get rid of the cholera. The members of the first general council of Oran, named by Emperor Napoleon III, meet on December 5, 1858 with the prefecture, with as chairman Jules de Pre de Saint-Maur.
- 1866: July 25. Creation of the oran diocesis.
- 1880: Beginning of the construction of the Large synagogue of Oran. Oran knows a great extension starting from the place d'Armes. The ravine of l'Oued Rouina is filled.
- 1881: Appearance of the first trams pulled by two horses.
- 1886: Inauguration of Hotel de Ville, the City Hall.
- 1899: First electric trams.
- 1900: the city has 90,000 inhabitants.
- 1907: Construction of the theatre.
- 1909: December 14: on a ground of Sénia, the first resounding flight in Oran is carried out by Julien Serviès, with a Sommer monoplane. Next 9 January, a great meeting gathers forty thousand people, always in Sénia, in the presence of Marshal Lyautey.
- 1913: Opening to the worship of the Cathedral Sacré Coeur.
- 1930: Creation of new districts, less dense and more luxurious, completing the urbanisation of the first crown, in its part directed towards the interior of the country; these districts are higher Gambetta, Bon Reception, the Beavers, Médioni, Small Boulanger, Cité... This development continues overall with the creation of districts even more sumptuous, overflowing the first crown (district of Saint-Hubert, Palm trees, Point of the Day, Gambetta...)
- 1930–32: Sénia, the Oran aérodrome, is where several world records of duration and distance in closed loop are established.
- 1940: Beginning of the construction of the new prefecture.
- 1940: July 3: the French fleet of the Atlantic based at Mers el Kébir, is bombarded by the British fleet, coming from Gibraltar, causing the loss of three battleships: Dunkirk, Provence and Brittany. One thousand two hundred sailors perish.
- 1942: November 8: as prelude to the invasion of Italy the British and the Americans land at Arzew and Oran capitulates on November 10.
- 1950: Oran has 256,661 inhabitants. Sixty-five percent of the total of Europeans is of Spanish origin more than the total number of Muslims in the city.
- 1957: Construction of the municipal stage baptized "Fouques-Duparc", with a capacity of forty-five thousand places.
- 1958: June 6: visit by General de Gaulle.
- 1960: First barricades.
- 1961: August: appearance of the OAS. The census gives the population of Oran 400,000 inhabitants: 220,000 Europeans and 180,000 Moslims.
- 1962: Recrudescence of the attacks. One of the chiefs of the OAS, Edmond Jouhaud, is arrested on March 25. In June he sets fire to port with ten million tons of fuel darkening the sky of the city. The Muslim reaction, later known as the Oran massacre of 1962, ended the French presence in the city.
Etymology
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 today
Today, Oran is a major port and a commercial centre, and has three universities. The old quarter of Oran has a casbah and an 18th-century mosque.
Culture
The folk music Raï ("opinion" in Arabic), had its beginnings in Oran. This genre of music was formulated by shepherds in the 1930s through Arab and European influences. This music was surrounded by controversy due to women's key role in public performances of the music, as well as the hedonistic lyrics about love and alcohol. This led to strict governmental control in the area which led to arrests, injuries, and assassinations. 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.
Fiction
El Gallardo Español 1615 by Miguel de Cervantes and Albert Camus's 1947 novel The Plague take place in Oran.
Part of Arturo Pérez-Reverte's 2006 Capitán Alatriste adventure novel Corsarios de Levante (Pirates of the Levant) takes place in early 17th-century Oran. The action of the book occurs just a few years after the forced expulsion of last Moriscos (Spanish Muslims) from Valencia. There are vivid descriptions of Oran as a sun-blasted North African military stronghold, largely forgotten by the King of Spain and his advisors, whose attention is focused on the wars in the Low Countries and the treasure fleets from the Americas. Fictional hero Capitán Diego Alatriste and his ward Íñigo Balboa find Oran to be manned by an impoverished garrison of Christian Spaniards, living alongside Muslims (some fiercely loyal to Spain), and Sephardic Jews, themselves refugees from the 1492 expulsions ordered by the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabel).
In the movie Casablanca, the route for refugees fleeing to the Americas was Paris to Marseille, across the Mediterranean to Oran, then by train, auto or foot to Casablanca. If luckly enough to get an exit visa, on to Lisbon.
City districts
El Hamri
El Hamri is a large popular district in the center of Oran known under French rule as Lamur. One finds there the football club Mouloudia d'Oran.
Neighborhood Streets
- Avenue of Lamur
- Street Captain-Rahou
- Sebbalet Ayada
- Place The Sahara
- Gahwat Ettoubi
- Street Staoueli
- Street Djemaa Gazouna
Sidi El Houari
The historical district is a suburb in the north of the d'Oran city. One finds l ancian Saint-Louis college there, as well as the old mosque of the Pasha dating from the XVIIe century. In this district the skin of Saint-Patron of the city in the name of "Sidi El Houari" rests;. D'autres tourist curiosities: one ancient prefecture of the data base Stalingrad, the Spanish vestiges dating from XVI century, and especially the Palate of the Bey d'Oran.
Oranian agglomeration
The Oranian metropolis comprises several communes.
Mers-El-Kébir
This commune is located at the North-West of Oran to a few 7 km of the centre town. It is also a maritime base and a naval station as its name implies—which means "The Great Port"—sits of the Algerian national navy. Very pretty commune.
Aïn-El-Turck
The Aïn-el-Turck commune, whose name means Eye of Turks (in reference to the blue color) is also located at the North-West of Oran to 15 km of the center. It is a seaside resort which includes several hotels and other tourist attractions. The landscape of this commune is continually improving thanks to the many infrastructure projects under way.
Es-Sénia
This commune is in the South of Oran with 7 km center. It shelters industrial parks, several university institutes (Oran-Es-Sénia University, Institut of Communication, ENSET "Higher Teacher training school", CRASC "Research center in social sciences", etc.) and the international airport.
Bir-El-Djir
This commune depends on Bir-El-Djir and composes the suburbs Is of Oran (apart from the districts). It is the future c?ur beating Oranian agglomeration. It includes several buildings which are the seats of companies with a modernistic architecture (Sonatrach, in construction), the new CHU "November 1, 1954", the Palate of the Congresses, l University of sciences and technology (conceived by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange (1913-2005)), l'Institut of medical sciences, and the Court of Justice.
This commune is the urban extension to the East of the town of Oran, to 8 km of the center, with a population of 118.000 habitants.et the projects: Olympic stage of 50.000 places, its name means Clay Pit.
Misserghin
This is a small peaceful city in the Western extreme of the metropolis, having its fans and its Tour operators in order to promote tourism in the radiant and green area of this locality.
Tourism
Oran has numerous hotels in all categories, from luxury to basic, as well as many restaurants offering Algerian specialities and other foods. Tourists will also find a variety of cinemas, arts centres, the regional theatre, an open-air theatre, the Museum, the historic city centre of Oran, the district of Sidi El Houari, the municipal gardens, Médina Djedida with its artisanal products, the cathedral, Djebel Murdjadjo, and nearby seaside resorts. is 12 km from the centre town. One can also reach Oran by ferries from the ports of Marseilles, Sète, Alicante and Almería, via the national company Algérie Ferries.
Transportation
The city has limited means of transport, which do not cover sufficiently the non-urban zones. The entreprise ETO (Company of Oranian Transport) acquired new buses burning coal. There is an extensive network of "gypsie" taxis in the City. Work will start in 2008/9 and will last approximately two to three years, to deliver the first line of the tram in 2009. It should comprise 31 stations, distributed on 17,7 kilometers going to Es-Sénia, in the South, jusqu'à Sidi Maarouf, with l'Est, while passing by the centre town The tram should serve the locality d'Haï Sabbah, l University of Sciences and Technology (USTO), the Crossroads of the Three Private clinics, the Law courts, Dar El Baïda, the Plate-Saint Michel, the Place of the 1 November, Saint-Anthony, Boulanger, Saint-Hubert, the 3 Ring road and finally l University Es-Sénia. The Oran Es Senia Airport, for domestic and internationals flights.
International Marathon
Oran held its first international marathon on November 10, 2005. The event, sponsored by Toyota of Algeria, attracted runners from Morocco, Libya, Spain, France, and Kenya. The marathon served to publicize the health benefits of running and to provide a novel form of public entertainment for the city's residents.
Sister cities
External links
- —Voted in 2007 as "Oran's best website" by the ministry of culture and Panoramic Tours. Mostly dedicated to tourism. Features photo galleries, short films, news, city guides & information, hotel info & reservation forms, forum...
- —Oran student’s community
- —The Community Discussion Forum for Oran and tourism.
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- —Detailed maps of the Oran Region and City.
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