I. A Province Of Algeria

A Province Of Algeria, on the Mediterranean, extending along the coast 180 m. from a point E. of the mouth of the Shelliff to near the mouth of the Muluia, and bounded N. E. by the province of Algiers, S. and S. W. by the southern range of the Atlas mountains, and W. by Morocco; area, 111,831 sq. m.; pop. in 1872, 513,492, four fifths of whom were Arabs. Several ranges belonging to the Little Atlas traverse the province in the north. Among the rivers are the Shelliff, the Makra, and the Tafna, all of which empty into the Mediterranean. There are several lakes in the southern parts, and near the capital is Lake Sale or Sebkha. A great part of the soil is fertile, and large tracts are covered with forests. The temperature is in general higher than that of the other provinces of Algeria, but it is somewhat moderated by steady N. W. winds. The province is divided into the administrative districts of Oran and Mosta-ganem, and into three military departments. The principal towns on the coast are Oran, Arzeu, and Mostaganem, and in the interior Tlemcen and Mascara. Spanish emigration to this province is rapidly increasing; in 1872 it included 10,000 persons.

II. A City

A City, capital of the province, on a bay of the same name, about 210 m. W. S. W. of Algiers; pop. in 1872, 40,674. It is on both sides of the mouth of a small stream called the Wad el-Rakhi, and at the foot of the peak of Ste. Croix or Mergiagio. It is well fortified and in general well built. The principal edifices are a former mosque, now converted into a parish church, another church built by the Spaniards in the time of Charles V., a hospital, a castle, and an arsenal. The city is badly supplied with water, and the country around is arid and barren. The climate, though intensely hot, is generally considered healthy. There is no good anchorage immediately around the town, but Mers el-Kebir, 3 m. distant, has a large and commodious harbor. Here, as in all Algerme ports, trade and industry are in the hands of Jews, Spaniards, and other foreigners. Oran was long a subject of contention between the Spaniards and the Moors. The former, under Cardinal Ximenes, took it in 1509, and retained it till 1708, when the Algerines expelled them. The Spaniards regained it in 1732, but subsequently gave up the town, retaining only the port and castle of Mers el-Kebir. In 1831 the French took possession of the town.

A bishopric was established here in 1867.