Malmö, city in southern Sweden, on the Öresund strait, across from Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the capital of Skåne County. Malmö is an important transportation center and a major seaport, known for shipbuilding and the manufacture of cigars, sugar, beer, and woolens. Its most noted building is Malmöhus Castle, a 15th-century structure, which now houses Malmö Museum. The city was founded in the 12th century; it remained part of Denmark until 1658, when it was seized by King Charles X Gustav of Sweden. Population (1998 estimate) 254,904.