VEJLE

city and port, seat of Vejle amtskommune (county), eastern Jutland, Denmark, located on Vejle Fjord, northwest of Fredericia. Chartered in 1327, it is now an agricultural distribution centre with good harbour facilities. Predominantly a textile-producing centre, it also produces foundry iron, hardware, canned goods, and toys. The church of St. Nikolaj dates from the 13th century, and there is a city museum. The amtskommune, on the Little Belt (area 1,155 sq mi [2,991 sq km]), comprises picturesque, hilly country with beech forests. Fertile soil in the east supports vegetable and dairy farming and cattle breeding. Other cities are Fredericia, Horsens, and Kolding (qq.v.). At Jelling, 9 mi (14 km) northwest of Vejle, are the 10th-century burial mounds of King Gorm and Queen Thyra, with two runic stones in their memory. Pop. (1982 est.) city, 43,534; (1983 est.) mun., 49,709; (1983 est.) amtskommune, 327,102.