a fortified city and seaport of Norway, capital of the province of South Bergen. It is situated at the head of a deep bay, on the Atlantic, has a fine harbour with two good entrances, and is surrounded by hills, some of which attain the height of 2000 feet. The appearance of the town is picturesque; it rises in the form of an amphitheatre, and is generally well built, though some of the houses are of wood. Pop. (1845) 25,611, employed chiefly in the fishery. The export trade, which consists of stock-fish, lobsters, timber, rock-moss, skins, horns, fish-roses, herrings, oil, &c., is chiefly carried on with the northern countries of Europe. In 1842 the number of ships that entered the port was 1078, with a tonnage of 80,545.

Bergen contains a cathedral, several churches and hospitals, a national museum, diocesan college, naval academy, several public libraries, various charitable institutions, and a theatre. It is the seat of a tribunal of secondary jurisdiction, and of one of the three public treasuries of Norway. This city was founded in the eleventh century by one of the kings of Norway, and joined at an early period the Hanseatic League. Long. 5.20.33. E. Lat. 60.24. N.