Part 28

Down to the end of the middle ages Algeria was historically inseparable from Tunisia and Morocco (see pp. 95, 187, 188, 322). After the whole coast as far as the Atlantic had been colonized by the Carthaginians, and the whole of S. Algeria by the Romans, but with diminishing energy as they proceeded from E. to W., a period of decadence set in. Troubles began with the revolt of the Circumcelliones, and were succeeded by the party strife between Catholics and Donatists, by the religious persecutions under the Arian Vandal kings (p. 322), by the misgovernment of the Byzantines (534–698), and by the irruption of the Arabs (p. 322). During the Moorish period, as Algeria only formed an independent state for a time under the Ibadites (p. 323) and the Hammadites (p. 263), while in the W. regions the kingdom of Tlemcen (p. 188) was afterwards founded, it proved a constant apple of discord between the powerful dynasties of Morocco and Tunisia. The intrusion of the Spaniards (p. 178) next led to the intervention of the Turks and to the establishment of a piratical state by Horuk Barbarossa (comp. p. 221). Under the sway of France great improvements have been introduced; many of the most fertile regions on the coast and in the Tell Atlas have become state property and that of French companies or of industrious colonists (mostly Spaniards, S. French, Alsatians, and Lorrainers), and the long neglected seaports have awoke to new life. The whole country has been opened up by a network of excellent roads, and railways have been carried to the confines of the Sahara. In the towns, with the exception of Tlemcen and Constantine, most of the old Moorish and Turkish buildings have been superseded by French. While but few specimens of Moorish architecture have been spared by enthusiasts for improvement, there still survive in the Hauts-Plateaux some interesting relics of Roman buildings, recently unearthed from the oblivion of centuries, and now carefully preserved from further destruction.

For much fatigue and privation the traveller in Algeria will be compensated by many a glimpse of picturesque Oriental manners and costumes and by the varied scenery of the peaceful and luxuriantly fertile plains, the wild mountains, and the stony and sandy wastes of steppe and desert. Most striking of all are the wonderful effects of light and shade on land, sea, and sky, under the glorious African sunshine. Amid the manifold green hues of the rich subtropical vegetation, enlivened by a wealth of flowers and blossom, gleam the dazzling white Moorish country-houses and Mohammedan shrines (kubbas or marabouts) and the red-tiled roofs of the mountain villages and the European settlements. Travellers penetrating from the coast to the Sahara will marvel, especially in winter, at the extraordinary clearness of the atmosphere and the gorgeous sunsets, such as neither Italy nor Greece can boast of, awakening in every beholder an enthusiastic admiration for the desert.

Notwithstanding the considerable rainfall (p. 170) and the occasional gales to which it is exposed, the town of Algiers is a favourite winter resort. The best months for travelling on the seaboard and the Hauts-Plateaux are April, May, and November, and for the Sahara February and March. The favourite goals are, in the province of Oran: Oran, Tlemcen, and Figuig; in the province of Algiers: Teniet el-Haâd, Miliana, Hammam Rhira, Blida, Fort-National, and Michelet; and in the province of Constantine: Bougie, the Chabet el-Akra, Constantine, Timgad, El-Kantara, Biskra, and Tebessa.

The RAILWAYS, with the exception of the Chemins de Fer Algériens de l’Etat, belong to three private companies, the Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée Algérien, the Ouest Algérien, and the Bône-Guelma (et prolongements). They are all single lines. The express on the chief line, that from Algiers to Oran, travels 26¾ M. an hour only; the speed of the ordinary trains is 12–19 M. per hour. On all the main lines dining and sleeping cars are provided. On the branch-lines the trains often have one first-class carriage only. For night journeys in the Hauts-Plateaux the heating by means of foot-warmers is inadequate. In E. Algeria the traffic is sometimes stopped for several days in winter by snow-drifts and cloud-bursts.

The time-tables are to be found in the Livret A. Jourdan (Indicateur des Chemins de Fer, de la Navigation, etc.; 50 c.), in the Livret-Chaix (Guide pour les Chemins de Fer de l’Algérie, de la Tunisie et de la Corse; 50 c.), or in the Indicateur Officiel (Guide-poche Algérien par L. Chappuis; 60 c.). Greenwich time (ca. 59 min. behind mid-European time), which has been recently introduced in France, is observed everywhere. Travellers should go to the ticket-office early, as the officials have much writing to do and their proceedings are slow. In the larger towns tickets may usually be taken and luggage booked beforehand at the town-office of the railway company. As in France each passenger is allowed 30 kilos (about 66 lbs.) of luggage. Return-tickets (billets d’aller et retour) for a distance of 50 kilomètres (31 M.) are valid for two days, for distances over 400 kilom. (248 M.) for at least seven days. The Indicateurs above named contain further information as to return-tickets ‘collectifs pour families’, ‘collectifs d’excursion’, and ‘demi-places’, which last only benefit those who make a stay of several months in the colony.

As the roads are good and the trains slow, those who can bear the expense will often find a MOTOR CAR the swiftest and pleasantest kind of conveyance. Among fine motoring trips may specially be noted those from Oran to Tlemcen (comp. p. 184); from Algiers to Castiglione, Tipaza, Hammam Rhira, Affreville, and Teniet el-Haâd, returning viâ Blida and Boufarik; from Algiers to Cape Matifou, Ménerville, Tizi-Ouzou, Fort-National, and Michelet (Tazmalt); from Bougie through the Chabet el-Akra to Kerrata, or viâ Djidjelli and Mila to Constantine; also from Algiers or Constantine to Biskra. The maximum speed allowed in towns and villages is 15 kilomètres (9½ M.) an hour, on highroads 30 kilom. (19 M.) per hour. The cars offered for hire in the larger towns are generally good machines of 15–60 horse-power.

Where neither railways nor motor-omnibuses are available persons of limited means travel by DILIGENCE (see time-tables in Jourdan’s Indicateur, mentioned above). Besides the ‘Courrier’, or postal diligence, there is sometimes a ‘Concurrence’, an inferior and cheaper vehicle. Careful inquiry as to time-table and fares should be made, and front seats secured beforehand. The officials sometimes charge strangers more than the legitimate fare. If the passenger prefers to walk or ride part of the way, he may arrange with the driver as to the carriage of his luggage.

Off the highroads and for mountain excursions RIDING is often preferable to walking. A mule (_mulet_) or a donkey (_bourricot_) is more commonly used than a horse. The Arabian saddle with its high cantle and pommel gives a certain sense of security to the novice, but the experienced rider will prefer an English saddle, which may be obtained in the larger towns. The animals are badly kept by the natives, but are quiet and sure-footed. Instead of a saddle, mules and donkeys often have a kind of sack thrown over their backs, into which the rider thrusts his feet. The attendant has to provide food for himself and his beast, and he is always expected to walk except on very long excursions.

For excursions of any length in the Sahara the traveller must have recourse to the camel, the ‘ship of the desert’. The superior trotting camel (_mehara_) must be distinguished from the ordinary beast of burden, which only walks about 2½ M. per hour, but has wonderful powers of endurance, even in the most trying weather. In the case of the trotting camel the rider sits on a narrow saddle and crosses his feet (with shoes removed) on the animal’s neck. On the broad pack-saddle of the camel of burden is a seat for men, and right and left are others for ladies, for whom a kind of litter (_attatouch_) also is provided. While the rider mounts the kneeling animal the attendant usually puts his foot on one of its fore-legs to prevent it from rising too suddenly, as it is very apt to do. As the camel rises on its hind-legs first, tilting the rider forwards, it is advisable to lean well back at first, and then forwards, and to keep firm hold of the saddle. Practice alone will enable the rider to get used to the peculiar gait of the animal. The rider’s head should be well protected by a pith-helmet or other efficient covering. Luggage is best carried in two saddle-bags (gibera) of leather or carpet, for which the natives ask 20 fr., or even in ordinary sacks. As to provisions, see p. 97. Intending travellers are expected to present themselves at the Bureau Arabe before starting, where they may apply for a Saharien or Cavalier du Maghzen (p. 390) to accompany them. In some cases an escort is considered indispensable.

The MONEY for a tour in Algeria had better be taken in the form of notes of the Banque de France or the Banque de l’Algérie (for Algeria and Tunisia only) or in gold of the Latin monetary union. Bank of England notes and sovereigns are always readily exchanged in the larger towns and tourist-resorts. Circular notes are less convenient, but have the merit of being safer. Letters of credit addressed to the Compagnie Algérienne or the Crédit Lyonnais also form a safe vehicle for large sums, but the branch-offices sometimes require a week’s notice before paying. The banks and public offices are mostly open at 9–11 and 2–5 only, but the cashier’s office usually closes at 3.

Comfortable first-class HOTELS, owned chiefly by French, Swiss, or German proprietors, are to be found at Algiers, Oran, Hammam Rhira, and Biskra. Those of the second class usually make a fixed charge (5 to 12 fr. per day) for room, déjeuner, and dinner. Charges vary greatly, however, according to the season and to the traveller’s nationality. The beds are very good as a rule, and the rooms fairly clean, but the sanitation is often defective and the servants inefficient. Under these circumstances the scale of gratuities is lower than in Europe.

As for food, the staple of almost every repast in Algeria is mutton. The wheaten bread is generally excellent. Among the best wines are the white of Médéa and Mascara, the red and the white of Tlemcen and Staouéli, and the red of Miliana, Margueritte, and Hammam Rhira. At the CAFÉS, which are often beset by shoe-blacks (_cireurs_; 10 c.), we may try a cup of ‘Nossi-Bey’ (50 c.), considered a specially good coffee. A cup of coffee or tea at the Moorish cafés costs one sou, but strangers are often charged two (no gratuities). A few good RESTAURANTS are to be found in the larger towns, and food also is provided by the better _brasseries_. Tobacco and cigars are much cheaper than in France, there being no government monopoly here, but there is a duty of 36 fr. per kilogramme (2⅕ lbs.) on imported cigars.

The POST OFFICE arrangements are the same as in France. A favourite way of sending small parcels is by sample-post (‘échantillons sans valeur’; 12–15 days from Algiers to England), up to 350 grammes (about 12¼ oz.). Inland postage for letters of 20 grammes (not quite ¾ oz.) or post-cards 10 c., foreign 25 c. (for 20 gr.) or 10 c.—Senders of registered letters and telegrams must fill up a form giving their name and address. Postal orders and parcel-post are not recommended.

DRAWING or PHOTOGRAPHING in fortified places, if not expressly forbidden, is at least inadvisable, nor should maps or plans be too closely studied in public places. With regard to intercourse with the natives, see p. xxv. The police arrangements are generally as good as in Europe.

[Illustration: ORAN]

The MOSQUES (p. xxv) in Algeria are all state property and may therefore be visited at any time except during prayer. A fee (20–50 c.) need only be given to the custodian for providing slippers or rendering special services. Smoking is forbidden in the forecourts, and of course in the buildings themselves.

The MOORISH BATHS (ladies’ hours 12–6) may be glanced at in passing.

BOOKS (comp. also pp. vi, 325). _Sir R. L. Playfair’s_ Bibliography of Algeria (London, 2 vols.) goes no further than 1895. Among works on the history of Algeria and its development may be mentioned: _M. Wahl_, L’Algérie (5th ed., Paris, 1908; 5 fr.); _Hanoteau et Letourneux_, La Kabylie (2nd ed., 3 vols., Paris, 1893; 25 fr.); _R. L. Playfair_, The Scourge of Christendom (London, 1884); _Graham_, Roman Africa, History of the Roman Occupation (London, 1902); _Randall Maciver_ and _Wilkin_, Libyan Notes (London, 1901). For the history of art: _Stéphane Gsell_, Les Monuments antiques de l’Algérie (2 vols., Paris, 1901; 20 fr.); _W. et G. Marçais_, Les Monuments Arabes de Tlemcen (Paris, 1903; out of print). Delightful descriptions of the country and its inhabitants are contained in _R. S. Hichens’s_ The Garden of Allah (London, 1904); _Frances E. Nesbitt’s_ Algeria and Tunis (London, 1906; 20s.); _Irene Osgood’s_ novel ‘Servitude’; _Guy de Maupassant’s_ novel Au Soleil (nouv. éd., Paris, 1894; 3½ fr.); _E. Fromentin’s_ Un été dans le Sahara (Paris, 1857) and Une Année dans le Sahel (Paris, 1859); _Col. Pein’s_ Lettres familières sur l’Algérie (Châlons-sur-Marne, 1871; 3 fr.).

The French _Carte de l’Algérie_ (of the ‘Service Géographique de l’Armée’) is completed for the N. districts only. Each sheet on the scale of 1:50,000 costs 1½ fr.; sheets on the scale of 1:200,000 cost 90 c. each. Since 1908 M. Jourdan, of Algiers, has been bringing out a new official map for the north (1:200,000) and the south (1:400,000) at 1 fr. per sheet.

28. Oran.

ARRIVAL BY SEA. The steamers of the _Compagnie Générale Transatlantique_ (RR. 19, 18) are berthed at the Quai Bougainville (Pl. C, 1), those of the _Transport Maritimes_ (R. 19) at the Quai de la Gare (Pl. C, D, 2), those of the _Navigation Mixte_ (RR. 19, 18) at the Quai Lamoune (Pl. B, 1). Baggage is conveyed to the custom-house (Douane; Pl. B, 2), and thence to the cabs or hotel-omnibuses. The porters (portefaix), mostly natives, are notorious for their extortionate demands. Charges should be agreed upon beforehand.

=Railway Stations.= =1.= _Gare Centrale_ or _du P. L. M. et de l’Ouest Algérien_ (Pl. E, 4; p. 173), Boul. Marceau (p. 181), for Perrégaux and Algiers (R. 33), Tlemcen (R. 29), and Aïn-Témouchent (p. 185).—=2.= _Gare d’Arzew_ (Pl. F, 5), 1 M. from the hotels, for the line viâ Damesme (Arzew) and Perrégaux to Beni-Ounif de Figuig (R. 32).—The _Gare de la Marine_ (Pl. C, 2) is the terminus of the harbour goods-line.—TOWN OFFICE of the P. L. M. and Ouest Algérien railways, Boul. du Lycée 5.

=Hotels.= *HÔT. CONTINENTAL (Pl. a; D, 3), Boul. Séguin 1, corner of Place des Armes, fine open site, with restaurant, R. 4–6, B. 1½, déj. 4, D. 5, pens. 11–15, omn. 1 fr.—HÔT. VICTOR (Pl. b; D, 3), Rue d’Arzew 5 and Rue de la Bastille 8, R. 2½–5, B. ½¾, D. 3, pens. 7½–8½, omn. ½–1 fr., plain but good; HÔT. DU THÉÂTRE, Rue Bosquet, next the theatre (Pl. C, 3), new; HÔT. D’EUROPE (Pl. d; D, 3), Boul. Charlemagne 16, HÔT. DU PROGRÈS (Pl. f; D, 3), Rue de Belleville 14, both with restaurants, very unpretending.—=Hôtels Garnis.= *ROYAL (Pl. g; D, 3), Boul. du Lycée 3, with restaurant, R. 3–8, omn. 1 fr.; CENTRAL (Pl. h; D, 3), Rue de Belleville 13, R. 2½–4 fr.

=Cafés.= _Continental_ (at the hotel), _Riche_, and _de la Mosquée_, all in Boul. Séguin (Nos. 1, 22, 19); _du Théâtre_, Place d’Armes 11; _Nouvel Aquarium_ (p. 182), Promenade de Létang; _Glacier_, Place Kléber 3.

=Restaurants= at the hotels; also _Nouvel Aquarium_ (p. 182); _Brasserie Guill. Tell_, in the Hôt. Royal, Boul. du Lycée 3, good; _Brasserie de l’Etoile_, Rue de Belleville 11; _Brasserie Alsacienne_, Boul. Séguin 18.

=Cabs= (_voitures de place_): │ By day│At night │ │ Drive within the town-walls │ 1.—│ 1.50 „ to the suburbs (banlieue) │ 1.50│ 2.— _Course double_ (there and back, with stay of ¼ hr.)│ 1.50│ 2.— Same to the suburbs │ 2.—│ 2.50 Per hour, in the town │ 2.—│ 3.— „ „ within 8 kilomètres (5 M.) around │ 2.50│ 3.50 Excursion of a whole day (50 kilom. or 31 M.) │ 16.—│ — To Mers el-Kébir and back │ 4.—│ — Same drive, with stay of ½ hr. │ 5.—│ —

Night is reckoned from 11 to 6 (in summer to 5). Fares raised on Easter Monday and on race-days (see tariff). Luggage under 15 kilos (ca. 33 lbs.) free; trunk 25 c., over 40 kilos (ca. 88 lbs.) 50 c.

=Motor Cars= and =Bicycles=. _Serviès_, Boul. Magenta 28; _L’Universelle_ (Schmitt & Co.), Rue d’Arzew 60; _Palace Auto_, Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine.

=Tramways= (from 6, in winter 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 1st cl. 15, 2nd cl. 10 c.; transfer 20 or 15 c.). =1.= From _Quai de la Douane_ (Pl. B, 1) to Rue d’Orléans, Place Kléber (Pl. C, 3), Boul. Malakoff, Rue des Jardins, and _Place d’Armes_ (Pl. C, D, 3).—=2.= From _Quai Ste. Thérèse_ (Pl. D, 1, 2) to Rue Charles-Quint, Place Kléber, Rue de Turin, Rue Philippe, and _Place d’Armes_.—From PLACE D’ARMES: =3.= to Boul. Séguin, Rue d’Arzew (Pl. D-F, 3), and _Gambetta_ (Pl. H, 2); =4.= to Boul. Séguin, Rue de Mostaganem (Pl. D-G, 4), and _St. Eugène_ (Pl. H, 4); =5.= to Boul. National, Boul. Magenta (Pl. D, 4), _Boul. Marceau_ (Pl. E, F, 4, 5); =6.= to Boul. National, Boul. Sébastopol (Pl. C, D, 4), Rue Dutertre (Pl. D, 5), and _Cimetière Tamazhouet_ (Pl. E, F, 5); =7.= to Boul. National, Porte de Tlemcen (Pl. C, 5), and _Eckmühl_ (Pl. B, 5).

=Steam Tramway= to _Hammam Bou-Hadjar_, see p. 184.

=Omnibuses.= Motor-omnibus from the Place Kléber (Pl. C, 3) every ½ hr. to _Mers el-Kébir_ (p. 183); ordinary omnibus twice daily to _Aïn-et-Turk_, _Bou-Sfer_ (p. 184), and _El-Ançor_ (p. 185); etc.

=Post & Telegraph Office= (Pl. 9; D, 3), Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine 7; branches in the Dock No. 4, Quai du Sénégal, at No. 17 Boul. Malakoff, etc.

=Steamboat Offices.= _Générale Transatlantique_, Boul. Malakoff 28; _Transports Maritimes_, Place de la République 9; _Navigation Mixte_ (_Touache Co._), Rue Séguin 1.

=Boats.= For a row in the harbour (as far as the lighthouse), 1 pers. 50, 2–3 pers. 25 c. each, 4 pers. 20 c. each (there and back with stay of ¼ hr., 70, 35, or 30 c.); one hour for 1 or more pers. 1½, each addit. hour 1 fr.—SAILING BOAT to Kristel (p. 184) about 6–8 fr. (according to bargain; should be ordered at the harbour in good time).

=Baths.= _Beth_, Boul. Séguin 1 (seaside of Hôt. Continental) and Rue d’Arzew 48; _Dussap_, Boul. Oudinot 22.—MOORISH (p. 175): _Bains Maures_, Rue de la Mosquée 5, etc.—SEA BATHS. _Bains de la Plage Ste. Thérèse_; _Bains Flottants_, Grande Jetée (Pl. D, 1), opposite the Quai Ste. Thérèse (ferry); _Bains de la Reine_ (p. 183); also at _Roseville_ (p. 183), _St. André de Mers el-Kébir_ (p. 183), and _Aïn-et-Turk_ (p. 184).

=Banks= (comp. p. 174). _Banque de l’Algérie_ (Pl. 1; D, 3), Boul. Séguin; _Comp. Algérienne_, Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine; _Crédit Lyonnais_, Boul. Séguin 3; _Crédit Agricole et Commercial Algérien_ (J. Thibaud), same street, No. 7.

=Booksellers.= _Heintz_, Boul. Séguin 4; _Perrier_, Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville 10; _Fouque_, Boul. Séguin 26.—=Newspapers= (5 c.). _L’Echo d’Oran_, _Le Libéral_, _El Correo Español_.

=Shops.= _Maison Universelle_, Boul. Séguin 27; _Gradvohl_, same boulevard, No. 20bis (Oriental goods).—PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUISITES. _Luck_, Rue de Belleville 9; _Schnell_, Boul. Séguin 14.—PICTURE POST CARDS. _Caspari_, Rue d’Arzew 24; _Craveya_, same street, No. 20.

=Tourist Offices.= _Lubin_, Galerie Perez, Boul. Séguin; _Syndicat d’Initiative_, Hôt. de Ville (p. 180); _R. Heckmann_, Place de la République 7.

=Consuls.= British Vice-Consul, _Thos. A. Barber_, Quai Ste. Marie 4 (Pl. B, 2).—U. S. Consular Agent, _A. H. Elford_, Rue Charles Quint 14.

=French Prot. Church= (_Temple_; Pl. 13, C, 3), Rue de la Révolution; service on Sun. at 9.30 a.m.

=Theatres.= _Grand Théâtre Municipal_ (Pl. C, 3), Place d’Armes; _Théâtre-Casino_ (Pl. 14; C, 2), Rue Philippe; _Cirque-Théâtre des Nouveautés_ (Pl. C, 4), Boul. National; _Alhambra_ (Pl. D, E, 3), Rue d’Arzew 38bis.

=Music= (in winter, 4–5 p.m.). Sun., Promenade de Létang (p. 181), near the Restaur. Aquarium; Tues., at the Cercle Militaire (p. 180); Thurs. (fortnightly in both), Place de la République and Square du Palais de Justice; Sat., at the Hôpital Militaire (Pl. C, 2).—CONCERTS in the _Salle Musicale_ (Pl. D, 3), Rue de Paixhans.

TWO DAYS. 1st. In the forenoon, _Place d’Armes_ (p. 180), _Grande Mosquée_ (p. 180), _Promenade de Létang_ (p. 181), _Old Town_ (p. 179); afternoon, _Belvédère_ (p. 182) or _Plateau du Marabout_ (p. 183).—2nd. Forenoon, _Mers el-Kébir_ (p. 183); afternoon, _Promenade des Falaises_ (p. 184).—As to visiting the mosques, see p. 174.

_Oran_, Arabic _Warân_, the capital of the province of that name, with 110,000 inhab. (29,700 being foreigners, mostly Spaniards, 16,000 Mohammedans, and 13,200 Jews), is a strongly fortified place, the headquarters of an army corps and a torpedo-boat station, and has been an episcopal see since 1867. Next to Algiers it is now the greatest seaport and commercial place in Barbary. The town lies in 35° 44′ N. lat. and 0° 58′ W. long., on a bay of the spacious _Gulf of Oran_ (p. 126), between _Jebel Santon_ (1043 ft.; p. 183) on the W. and the _Pointe Canastel_ (784 ft.; p. 184) on the E. side. At the W. end the quiet streets of the old town, overlooked by the bare limestone rocks of the _Pic d’Aidour_ or _Montagne de Santa Cruz_ (1221 ft.), ascend the ravine of the small brook _Raz el-Aïn_ or _Oued Rehhi_ to the hill of the _Kasba_, the ancient Moorish castle. The modern industrial quarters lie to the E. of the hill of _Château-Neuf_ and beyond the ravine of the _Aïn Rouina_, extending far over the plateau of _Karguentah_ (about 250–390 ft.), a tableland which descends abruptly to the sea and slopes gradually to the S. E. down to the plain of the _Daya Morselli_ and the _Plaine du Figuier_ (p. 185). The town is defended by several old forts of the Spanish period and by a number of modern coast-batteries, and, like most of the Algerian towns, is enclosed by a wall for protection against the natives. The chief suburbs outside the gates are _Gambetta_, _St. Eugène_, _Lamur_, and _Eckmühl-Noiseux_.

Oran is essentially a modern town, which is being extended and embellished with feverish zeal, but notwithstanding its French veneer it derives a certain individuality from the preponderating Spanish element in its population. The Mohammedan element is diminishing here even more rapidly than in Algiers. Owing to the scantiness of the rainfall the environs and their vegetation are quite African in character, and the neighbouring shotts, or salt-lakes, resemble those of the Hauts-Plateaux (p. 169).

The Gulf of Oran, where the _Portus Divinus_ (Mers el-Kébir, p. 183) was the only Roman settlement, was unimportant in ancient times. Native tradition ascribes the foundation of the town of Oran to Moorish merchants of Andalusia in 902, but it was not till the late middle ages that the town began to thrive. After the rise of the kingdom of Tlemcen (p. 188) Oran superseded the neighbouring ports of Rachgoun (p. 185), Honeïn (p. 125), and Arzew (p. 199) as the chief staple of the W. Algerian coast, its trade being chiefly carried on by Italians.