# Bergen

> Norwegian city in Vestland, Norway

**Wikidata**: [Q26793](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26793)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bergen

## Summary
Bergen is a large human settlement and big city located in the Vestland county of Norway, within the continent of Europe. Founded in 1070, it serves as the administrative capital of both the Bergen Municipality and the Vestland region. With a current estimated population of 291,189, it is a recognized City of Gastronomy and a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded in 1070.
- **Location:** Situated in Bergen Municipality, Vestland, Norway (Europe). Coordinates: 60.3925°N, 5.3233°E.
- **Area:** 87.17 square kilometers.
- **Elevation:** 5 meters above sea level.
- **Population:** 291,189 (estimate as of September 30, 2023).
- **Country:** Norway (since June 7, 1905).
- **Demonyms:** "bergenser" or "bergensar".
- **Official Language:** Norwegian.
- **Timezone:** UTC+01:00.
- **UN/LOCODE:** NOBGO.
- **Postal Code:** 5003–5098.
- **Awards:** National Urban Environment Award (2013), Norsk Form Honours Award (1994), UCI Bike City.
- **Memberships:** Creative Cities Network (City of Gastronomy, 2015), Organization of World Heritage Cities.
- **Sister Cities:** Seattle, Lübeck, Aarhus, Gothenburg Municipality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Rostock, Mombasa, Turku, Callao.
- **Identifiers:** ISNI: 0000000403755599, VIAF: 149552590, GeoNames: 3161732, Library of Congress: n79021216.

## FAQs
**What is the historical timeline of Bergen?**
Founded in 1070, Bergen has served as a capital for various administrative regions, including Søndre Bergenhus amt (1763–1830) and Hordaland (1972–2019). It became part of modern Norway on June 7, 1905, following the dissolution of the Union between Sweden and Norway.

**What are the key geographical details?**
Bergen covers 87.17 square kilometers at an elevation of 5 meters. It is located at 60.3925°N latitude and 5.3233°E longitude in the Vestland county of Norway.

**How has the population changed over time?**
The population has grown from 95,889 in 1923 to an estimated 291,189 in 2023. Other historical estimates include 117,000 (1968), 208,000 (1986), and 267,117 (2022).

**What international recognitions does Bergen hold?**
Bergen is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and the Creative Cities Network (as a City of Gastronomy). It is also a designated UCI Bike City.

**Who are Bergen's sister cities?**
Bergen maintains sister city relationships with Seattle (USA), Lübeck (Germany), Aarhus (Denmark), Gothenburg Municipality (Sweden, since 1946), Newcastle upon Tyne (UK, since 1968), Rostock (Germany, since 1965), Mombasa (Kenya), Turku (Finland, since 1946), and Callao (Peru).

## Why It Matters
Bergen serves as a critical administrative, cultural, and historical hub in Norway. Its continuous role as a regional capital for over 250 years underscores its political importance. The city's dual recognition in heritage and gastronomy highlights its global cultural significance and its commitment to preserving local traditions while fostering international exchange. The steady population growth and international connectivity reflect its status as a vibrant, modern European city.

## Notable For
- **City of Gastronomy:** Designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015.
- **Heritage Status:** Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
- **UCI Bike City:** Recognized for cycling-friendly infrastructure.
- **Long History:** Founded in 1070, acting as a capital for various regions since 1763.
- **Global Network:** Sister city relationships spanning four continents.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Bergen is classified as a city and big city, located in the Vestland county of Norway. It lies within the Bergen Municipality and the continent of Europe. Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 60.3925 and longitude 5.3233333333333. The city covers an area of 87.17 square kilometers and has an elevation of 5 meters above sea level. The timezone is UTC+01:00. Bergen's postal codes range from 5003 to 5098, and its UN/LOCODE is NOBGO.

The population of Bergen has shown consistent growth. Official estimates place the population at 291,189 as of September 30, 2023 (preferred value). Other recorded population figures include 267,117 (2022), 257,087 (2019), 275,000 (2015), 224,000 (1997), 208,000 (1986), 117,000 (1968), and 95,889 (1923). The inhabitants are known by the demonyms "bergenser" and "bergensar" (Norwegian Nynorsk). The official language is Norwegian.

### History and Administration
Bergen was founded in 1070. It has a complex administrative history, serving as the capital of multiple entities:
- Vestland (from January 1, 2020)
- Hordaland (January 1, 1972 – December 31, 2019)
- Bergen County (January 1, 1919 – December 31, 1971)
- Bergen amt (1831 – December 31, 1918)
- Søndre Bergenhus amt (September 19, 1763 – 1830)

On the national level, the city has been part of Norway since June 7, 1905. Previously, it belonged to the Union between Sweden and Norway (November 4, 1814 – June 6, 1905), the Kingdom of Norway (January 14, 1814 – November 3, 1814), and Denmark–Norway (until January 13, 1814).

Bergen has received several awards, including the National Urban Environment Award (with Hamar Municipality) in 2013, the Norsk Form Honours Award in 1994, and the UCI Bike City label.

### International Relations and Memberships
The city is a member of the **Creative Cities Network**, specifically designated as a **City of Gastronomy** since 2015. It also holds membership in the **Organization of World Heritage Cities**.

Bergen maintains active sister city (twinned administrative body) relationships with the following cities:
- Seattle, USA
- Lübeck, Germany
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Gothenburg Municipality, Sweden (since 1946)
- Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (since 1968)
- Rostock, Germany (since 1965)
- Mombasa, Kenya
- Turku, Finland (since 1946)
- Callao, Peru

### Identifiers and Digital Presence
Bergen is indexed in numerous databases and registries. Key identifiers include:
- **Wikidata ID:** (Entity: Bergen)
- **ISNI:** 0000000403755599
- **VIAF ID:** 149552590
- **GND ID:** 1027742-0
- **GeoNames ID:** 3161732
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n79021216
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID:** 145918168
- **WorldCat Entities ID:** E39PBJxmM4VdfVDpbQ8D4pT8md

The city maintains a presence on social media and digital platforms:
- **Facebook:** bergenkommune (Location ID: 106562399381316)
- **Instagram:** bergenkommune_ung
- **LinkedIn:** bergenkommune
- **Reddit:** Subreddit "bergen" (Norwegian/English)
- **TripAdvisor ID:** 190502
- **OpenStreetMap:** Node ID 21261083, Relation ID 404159
- **GitHub Topic:** bergen

Additional catalog references include the Great Russian Encyclopedia (2017), Encyclopædia Britannica, Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana, and Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana. The city's flag and coat of arms are available via Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.bergen.kommune.no/styringsdokument/5863624)
2. [Source](https://www.bergen.kommune.no/innbyggerhjelpen/kultur-idrett-og-fritid/kultur/arkiv/bruk-av-bergens-flagg-vapen-og-segl)
3. [Source](https://www.bergen.kommune.no/api/rest/filer/V63074)
4. [UCI Bike City Label](https://www.uci.org/bike-city-label/1LNLr3tV8qojqvAMcGJ2Hh)
5. [Source](http://goteborg.se/wps/portal/invanare/kommun-o-politik/internationellt-samarbete/nordiskt-samarbete/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8ziQw0NAi2cDB0NDEJ9nQw8_czDnDyd_Q09Q8z1wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6BbmhigCASA6r/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/)
6. [Source](https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/newcastles-international-relationships)
7. [Source](https://rathaus.rostock.de/de/bergen_norwegen/278484)
8. [Source](https://www.turku.fi/turku-tieto/turun-ystavyyskaupungit)
9. Open ISNI for Organizations
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. MusicBrainz
14. [Tettsteders befolkning og areal. Statistics Norway](https://www.ssb.no/befolkning/statistikker/beftett/aar)
15. [Source](https://www.ssb.no/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/tettsteders-befolkning-og-areal)
16. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
17. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/3211066)
18. [Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/БСЭ1/Берген,_город_в_Норвегии)
19. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
20. [Innbyggjarnamn](https://sprakradet.no/stedsnavn-og-navn-pa-statsorgan/navnelister-norsk-skrivemate/innbyggjarnamn)
21. BBC Things
22. GRID Release 2017-04-04
23. Quora
24. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
25. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
26. museum-digital