Oran, the second largest city in Algeria, is a seaport and the capital of Varan province. Also known as Varan. Located on the south bank of the Gulf of Wahran in the Mediterranean Sea, 43 kilometers southwest of Algiers. The population is about 590,000. Built in 10 century. The Middle Ages were the commercial centers of the West. From 16 to 18 century, it was occupied by Spain and Turkey successively. /kloc-occupied by France in the first half of the 0/9th century. At the end of 19, together with the nearby port of Kebil, it constitutes the largest naval base and fishing port in Algeria. Surrounded by important agricultural areas that produce grapes and wheat. Industries mainly include petrochemicals, metallurgy, shipbuilding, textiles, metalworking, brewing, flour and canned food, as well as the largest glass factory in North Africa. The railway connects Morocco in the west and Algiers in the east, crosses the Atlas Mountains in the south, and reaches Bechard and Abedeli on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The oil and gas pipeline passes through Hasrumaille gas field and Simaeys Oude oil field. The port can berth ships with draft of 10 meter, with modern loading and unloading operations, good storage equipment and fuel supply station. The city is built on the mountain, and the old and the new are juxtaposed. There are Santa Cruz Castle, the office of the former Spanish governor-general,18th century mosque, and 1965 University of Oaxaca. There is an international airport in Sene in the southern suburbs of the city.