Oran
1
5.8
- proper noun
- Oran is a vibrant port city in northwestern Algeria, known for its rich history and cultural diversity.
Examples
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Shows the Americans landed in Algiers and Oran... on the Mediterranean coast of French North Africa.
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There is no place in Oran that I haven't been," she added proudly.
Fiction book (1991) -
Every Oran home had a seed bowl to bring luck and prosperity to the household.
Fiction book (1991) -
I may have been born to the Silean manor, but I live here in Oran.
Fiction book (1991) -
We made our way down to Place El Bahia, where Algerian television and radio have their headquarters in Oran.
Academic text (2010) -
The first piece of graffiti I saw when I arrived in Oran turned out to be the most ubiquitous: Ma'ak yal khadra.
Academic text (2010) -
Even more audacious were the small posters that popped up in storefront windows on rue Larbi ben M'hidi, Oran's main commercial thoroughfare.
Academic text (2010) -
Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Oran serves as Algeria's second largest city and a significant maritime hub.
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The bustling markets of Oran attract visitors from all over, showcasing the city's unique blend of traditions.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Oran likely comes from the Arabic name Wahrān, which one popular story says means 'two lions' because two lions were once seen near the town. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine two lions by the sea, and that image explains why the city kept the name.