Industrial port and capital of Hordaland county on the southwest coast of Norway; population (2003 est) 211,200. It is Norway's second-largest city and a major shipping centre. Industries include shipbuilding, engineering, steel, electrical equipment, off-shore oil services, and fish processing. Often called the ‘gateway to the fjords’, Bergen is a major centre for tours of the fjords of Norway's west coast. Founded in 1070, Bergen soon became the largest city of medieval Norway, and became a member of the Hanseatic League in the mid-14th century. History Bergen was founded by King Olav the Peaceful, and for the next 200 years was not only a leading commercial town but also a political centre and royal seat. From the 14th century the Hanseatic merchants established themselves in the town at Bryggen, and played an important part in the development of its commerce, so that it became one of the main trading ports of northern Europe. During the disturbances accompanying the Reformation…