Luleå [key], city (1990 pop. 42,730), capital of Norrbotten co., NE Sweden, a port on the Gulf of Bothnia at the mouth of the Luleälv River. Although its harbor is icebound most of the winter, large quantities of iron ore and timber are exported. The city has a large smelting plant, in addition to railroad shops and lumber mills. Luleå was chartered by Gustavus II in 1621. It was destroyed by fire in 1887, and was rebuilt in a modern style. It is the site of Gammelstad Church (c.1400), and is the seat of a Lutheran bishopric.
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