UDDEVALLA

town, Vstra Gtaland ln (county), southwestern Sweden. It lies along the Bve River, at the head of By Fjord (an inlet of the Skagerrak), north of Gteborg. The site has been identified with Odensvold, a pagan place of sacrifice. The town was incorporated in 1498. On several occasions during the Danish-Swedish wars, large parts of it were destroyed and ravaged by fire. Uddevalla was once dependent on the grain trade, fishing, and stone quarrying, but it has developed into an industrial town with large shipyards and dock installations. Its coastal position also makes it a popular summer resort. Pop. (1990) mun., 47,338; (1996 est.) mun., 49,167.