Gävle

Gävle (yĕv'lə), city (1990 pop. 67,300), capital of Gävleborg co., E Sweden, on the Gulf of Bothnia. Although icebound for three months of the year, the port of Gävle has a busy export trade, especially in iron ore and lumber. Manufactures of the city include paper, leather goods, porcelain, textiles, and beer. Chartered in 1446, Gävle is the oldest and largest city in Norrland. It was largely destroyed by a fire in 1869 and was rebuilt in a modern style.