Located just to the west of the capital Oslo, Bærum is in many respects regarded as a suburb of this city. Many technology oriented companies are located at Lysaker and Fornebu.
Although Bærum is in many eyes regarded as the archetypical wealthy suburb, Bærum certainly has a history and identity of its own. Like the Bærums Jernverk founded in the 1700s, see Lommedalen.
A local football team, Stabæk I.F, plays in the Norwegian premier league (2003).