PITE

town and port, ln (county) of Norrbotten, northern Sweden. It lies along the Pite River near its outlet on the Gulf of Bothnia. The town was originally chartered at jebyn in 1621, but after a fire in 1666 it was moved to its present location. Lying in a forest-rich area, it is a centre for shipping timber and wallboard, and among its industries are sawmilling and others connected with forestry; there is also metalworking. The town was burned by the Russians in 1716 and again in 1721, but a church (168486) and other buildings predate that time. Pop. (1994 est.) mun., 40,807.