MALBORK

German Marienburg, city, Elblag wojewdztwo (province), northern Poland. It lies on the easternmost distributary of the Vistula River Delta known as the Nogat. The town was founded on the site of a medieval Prussian estate fortified by the Teutonic Knights in 1236 and once the residence of their grand master; the surrounding settlement received municipal rights in 1276. From the 13th to the 15th century the fortress was one of the most powerful in Europe. Incorporated into Poland in 1457, Malbork passed to the Prussians in 1772, and in 1920 Germany gained control of the town; it was returned to Poland after World War II. Malbork is now a transportation centre located on major rail and highway routes. Local industry specializes in the processing of sugar and dairy products from the surrounding area. Pop. (1991 est.) 39,800.