KRISTINEHAMN

town and port, in the ln (county) of Vrmland, west-central Sweden, on Vnern (lake). As early as the 14th century it was a trading centre known as Bro. It received a charter in 1582, when royal ironworks were established there, but lost both ironworks and charter within two years. In the 17th century, it became a regional iron centre as the place where iron prices were fixed. It was granted another charter in 1642 and adopted its present name in honour of Queen Christina. Destructive fires occurred in 1777 and 1893. Its leading industries are based on wood and iron; the products are shipped from its busy harbour. Pop. (1994 est.) mun., 25,923.