HORDALAND

fylke (county), southwestern Norway. Its mainland portion is roughly semicircular, focussing on the city of Bergen (q.v.), which is Hordaland's county seat. The total area is 6,036 sq mi (15,634 sq km), including numerous offshore islands. The fylke is split from southwest to northeast by the long, deep Hardangerfjorden, one of Norway's main fjords and a great tourist attraction. The land is mountainous and rugged throughout, and there are two large ice fields, the Folgefonni (south) and Hardangerjkulen (east). The eastern part of Hordaland is dominated by the Hardangervidda, an extensive, undulating plateau. Most of the inhabitants live on the narrow strips of lowland along the fjords and along the coast of the Norwegian Sea and on the offshore islands. Agriculture (grains and hay), pasturing of cattle and goats, fishing, and diversified manufacturing (chiefly in the Bergen metropolitan area) are the economic bases of the fylke. Tourism is also important. Pop. (1982 est.) 394,545.