Bergen

Located in the county of Hordaland, Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and situated between a group of mountains known collectively as de syv fjell ("the seven mountains"). Bergen is recognized as the unofficial capital of the region known as West Norway, and also recognized and marketed as the gateway city to the world famous fjords of Norway, becoming one of Europe's largest cruise ship ports of call. Being also the main base for the Royal Norwegian Navy, its international airport Flesland is the main heliport for the huge Norwegian North Sea oil and gas industry, from where thousands of offshore workers commute to their work places onboard the many oil and gas rigs and platforms. Bergen was one of nine European cities honoured with the title of European City of Culture in 2000.