MOSS

town, port, and seat of stfold fylke (county), southeastern Norway, on the eastern shore of Oslo Fjord. Founded in the 16th century, Moss was the site of the signing of the Convention of Moss, which united Norway and Sweden, in 1814. The town has paper and cotton mills, metalworks, shipyards, textile factories, breweries, and facilities for glass, asphalt, and tar production. The harbour is protected by adjacent Jel Island, called the Pearl of Oslo Fjord for its fine resort area and many large estates. The Moss River drains into the largest lake in the fylke, Vann Lake, and then flows through the town and into Oslo Fjord. Pop. (1991 est.) mun., 24,687.