SKELLEFTE

town and port, in the ln (county) of Vsterbotten, northern Sweden, on the Skelleftelv (river) near the Gulf of Bothnia. Although incorporated in 1845, it did not become important until after the discovery, in 1918, of the rich Boliden mineral deposits northwestward. In 1952 Skellefte absorbed several surrounding communities. Gold, silver, copper, arsenic, and other metals, as well as timber products, are shipped from Skelleftehamn, the outport. Copper smelting and refining at Skelleftehamn is the principal industry. The Skellefte Museum exhibits items found locally, some of which predate the Iron Age. Landsfrsamlings Kyrka, the old parish church, was built in the 18th century but contains 12th- and 15th-century German woodwork. Pop. (1984 est.) mun., 74,247.