orange

Orange tree bearing fruit and blossom. The fruit of the orange is rich in vitamin C, sugars, and acids.

Round orange-coloured juicy citrus fruit of several species of evergreen trees, which bear white blossom and fruits at the same time. Thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, orange trees are commercially cultivated in Spain, Israel, the USA, Brazil, South Africa, and elsewhere. The sweet orange (C. sinensis) is commonly eaten fresh; the Jaffa, blood, and navel orange are varieties of this species. (Genus Citrus, family Rutaceae.)

Tangerines and mandarins belong to a related species (C. reticulata). The sour or Seville orange (C. aurantium) is the bitter orange used in making marmalade. Oranges yield several essential oils.

Orange

City in Orange County, southwestern California, USA, 48 km/30 mi southeast of Los Angeles, and adjoining Santa Ana to the north; population (1990) 110,700. Founded before 1870, it lies in an irrigated area long known for its oranges. Residential and business development replaced the last groves in the city in the 1960s, but the packing and shipping of fruits, nuts, and vegetables remain important. Orange has a wide range of manufactures, along with wholesale and other businesses. It is the seat of Chapman College (1861).

Orange

Town in New Haven County, southwestern Connecticut, USA, on the west bank of the Housatonic River, immediately southwest of New Haven; population (1990) 12,800. It has always been primarily residential, with some manufacturing. Settled in 1639 on land bought from the Paugusset people, it joined with part of New Haven to form the town of Orange in 1822. Part of the town seceded in 1921 to become West Haven.

Orange

Township in Essex County, northeastern New Jersey, USA, 5 km/3 mi northeast of Newark; population (1990) 29,900. With East, South, and West Orange, it forms the suburban complex known as the Oranges. Now primarily a residential commuter suburb, Orange was formerly a manufacturing centre. Surviving industries produce office machines, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electrical supplies, and clothing.

The town was founded as Mountain Plantations in 1678. It was separated from Newark in 1806 and from East, South, and West Orange during 1861-63.

Orange

Seat of Orange County, eastern Texas, USA, on the Sabine River, at the Louisiana border, 175 km/110 mi east of Houston; population (1990) 19,400. It has a deepwater harbour, and is part of an oil-producing triangle with Beaumont to the west and Port Arthur to the southwest. In addition to oil and petrochemicals, Orange manufactures fabricated steel, paper products, and cement. A branch of Lamar University opened here in 1969.

Orange was founded in 1836, and prospered with the lumber, cattle, and rice trade in the 19th century. Its deepwater harbour, once a haven to the privateer Jean Lafitte, also made it a shipbuilding centre; the US Navy subsequently maintained a laid-up fleet here.