Seaport in Algeria; population (1984)
663,500. Products include iron, textiles,
footwear, and processed food; the port trades
in grain, wool, and vegetables, and exports
grass. history Oran was part of the Ottoman
Empire, except when it was under Spanish rule
1509-1708 and 1732-91. 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.