MALM

city and port, seat of Skne ln (county), southern Sweden. It is located across The Sound (resund) from Copenhagen. The city was the capital of Malmhus county until the county became part of Skne county in 1997. Malm originally was known as Malmhaug (Sandpile). It was chartered in the late 13th century, and during the late European Middle Ages its herring trade attracted German merchants from Lbeck, who settled there and named it Elbogen (Elbow) for the curve of the coastline at that point. Following its union with Sweden in 1658, the city suffered an economic decline, owing in part to the loss of certain trading privileges that it had enjoyed under Danish rule, the many wars between Sweden and Denmark, and poor harbour facilities. By 1730 its population had dwindled to 282. With the building of the harbour in 1775, its fortunes revived somewhat, but it saw no large-scale economic development until the arrival of the railroad after 1800. Since the mid-19th century, Malm, now Sweden's third largest city, has been an industrial and transportation centre. Its diversified industries range from shipbuilding to food processing. Through its busy port pass a wide range of imports and exports. Factories and warehouses have been built on extensive landfill in The Sound. Malm is connected by rail with Stockholm and Gteborg and via boat and train ferry with continental Europe; an international airport is located about 19 miles (31 km) east of the city, near Skurup. Malm's historic buildings include Malmhus (a 16th-century castle and fortress that is now a museum) and the 14th-century St. Peter's Church (a fine example of early Baltic Gothic architecture). Pop. (1990) mun., 233,870; (1996 est.) mun., 248,007.