Bergen

Bergen, city and seaport in south-west Norway, administrative centre of Hordaland county, located along inlets of the North Sea. The second-largest city in Norway, Bergen is a cultural, fishing, industrial, and shipping centre. It produces steel, ships, fishing equipment, processed food, timber, and electrical machinery.

Situated in a picturesque valley below seven mountains, Bergen is a colourful city with numerous historic buildings. These include St Mary's Church (12th century), the city's oldest building; Bergenhus fortress, including Håkon's Hall (1261; rebuilt after World War II); and several steep-roofed, wooden quayside houses dating from the early 1700s. Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Educational institutions in the city include the University of Bergen (1948), a school of economics and business administration (1936), and a music conservatory (1905). The composer Edvard Grieg and dramatist Ludvig Holberg were both natives of Bergen.

Originally named Björgvin, the city was founded about 1070 by Olaf III and was quick to develop as a commercial centre. During the 12th and 13th centuries it was the capital of Norway. From the mid-1300s to 1560 the Hanseatic League held a monopoly over Bergen's trade, and Hanseatic merchants remained influential in the city until the late 1800s. Bergen suffered severe fires in 1702, 1855, and 1916, and the city was badly damaged during World War II, when it was occupied by the Germans. In November 2000 a road tunnel linking Laerdal and Aurland, forming part of the main route from Bergen to Oslo, was opened. At 24.5 km (15¼ mi) long it is the world's longest. Population 241,440 (2005 estimate).