Bergen

Bergen is a city on the west coast of Norway. As of 6 July 2013, the municipality had a population of 269,600 and Greater Bergen had a population of 396,300, making Bergen the second-largest city in Norway. Trading in Bergen may have started as early as the 1020s, but the city was not incorporated until approximately 1070. It served as Norway's capital in the 13th century and from the end of the 13th century became a bureau city of the Hanseatic League. Until 1789, Bergen enjoyed exclusive rights to mediate trade between Northern Norway and abroad. The remains of the quays, Bryggen, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as you can see from the upper right photo of the card). The city is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry and subsea technology, and a national centre for higher education, tourism and finance. The city features Bergen Airport, Flesland, and the Bergen Light Rail (as you can see from the upper left photo of the card) and is the terminus of the Bergen Line; Bergen Port is Norway's busiest. This great postcard is from Postcrossing, thank you very much Tonni for your efforts, the Europa stamps are great too, much appreciated!