VESTFOLD

fylke (county), southeastern Norway. Lying along the western shore of Oslo Fjord, the county seat is Tnsberg (q.v.), Norway's oldest town. Vestfold is known for its prehistoric Bronze Age mounds and for its Viking ship burials. By the 10th century the local kings had established themselves as the first dynasty to begin the unification of Norway. Covering 856 square miles (2,216 square km) of rolling countryside, the fylke contains some of Norway's best farmland (dairying, grains, and fruits). Formerly a headquarters for whaling fleets, the coastal towns of Vestfold now engage in fishing and shipbuilding. Some lumbering is carried on in the interior. Horten has a fine yacht harbour, with an annual summer regatta. Pop. (1988 est.) 194,619.