Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/361

 expelled till 1792, two years after the place had been ruined by an earthquake and a fire. Since its occupation by the French in 1831, the Spanish defensive works have been restored, and Oran rendered almost impregnable, at an enormous expenditure of labour and money. At present it covers a space at least five times more extensive than the old town, whose three thousand inhabitants were crowded in between the amphitheatre of hills and the headland commanded by the now useless fortifications of the Château-Neuf. Here the Ain-Ruina ravine has been filled in to connect the western quarters with those of the Karguenta suburb, stretching away in the direction of Arzeu. The chief public buildings are grouped

towards the centre of the town, on the intermediate terrace separating the marina from the railway station.

In Oran the French, including the naturalised Jews, are still exceeded in number by the Spaniards, who monopolise some of the local industries. The Mussulmans, who form a very small minority of diverse origin, are mostly confined to the southern district of Jahli, commonly known as the "Black Village." But whatever their nationality or religion, the inhabitants are almost exclusively occupied with trade, although science and letters are represented by the most important geographical and archeological society in Algeria, besides a library and small museum occupying a part of the town hall. Here alfa grass, mineral