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BERGEN - NORWAY
The city Bergen in the county of Hordaland,
Norway, has 237,430 inhabitants as of January 1, 2004. Its administrative
district covers 465 km˛.
Bergen is the second largest city of Norway. It is situated in the west of
Norway, between the seven mountains, according to folklore. Bergen is also
known as the gateway to the fjords of Norway.
Founded as a city by Olav Kyrre in 1070 AD and considered to be Norway's
capital until 1299, Bergen toward the end of the thirteenth century became
one of the Hanseatic League's four most important cities. The trading
activities and administration was located at the bay that forms the centre
of Bergen, and the continuous quayside buildings of Bryggen are now on the
UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Bergen is renowned for its plentiful rainfall. In average, it rains two out
of three days. Yearly average rainfall is 2250 mm (88 inches). Its longest
period of uninterrupted rain in recent years was from January 3, 1990 to
March 26, 1990. There are vending machines for umbrellas on some streets.
The University of Bergen is known for its strong marine biology and geology
(petroleum) research. Recently the university was awarded three national
centers of excellence (http://www.uib.no/sff/) in climate research,
petroleum research and middle age studies. It is also home of the Norwegian
School of Economics and Business Administration, a leading business school
in Norway.
Industries in Bergen include deep sea shipping, fishing, academia, and
services. The nearby Mongstad complex is the largest port in Norway,
responsible for about 70% of all wet bulk.
Bergen has an international airport, Flesland, and has a railway line to
Oslo.
Bergen is also an important cultural centre in its region and in Norway,
maybe best known for hosting the annual Bergen International Festival (http://www.festspillene.no/eng/index.php)
(Festspillene). Bergen was a European City of Culture in 2000. Other main
cultural events includes Nattjazz and Ole Blues.
The local football team, S.K Brann, plays in the Norwegian premier league
(2004).
Ole Borneman Bull was born in Bergen in 1810. Ludvig Holberg was born there
in 1684. The composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) was born and died in Bergen.
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