Klaipeda, formerly Memel, city, western Lithuania, a port and fishing center on the Baltic Sea. It has shipyards and factories producing forest products, textiles, electronic equipment, and processed food. Settled by the 7th century, the community was destroyed (1252) by the Teutonic Knights, who then constructed the fortress of Memelburg. It was held briefly (1629-35) by Sweden and then was under Prussian control until 1919. In 1920 the community became the capital of the Memel Territory, and in 1923 it passed to Lithuania and was renamed Klaipeda. It was taken by Germany in 1939, was incorporated into the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) in 1945, and became part of independent Lithuania in 1991. Population (2000 estimate) 202,480.
