FREDERICIA (FRIEDERIcIA), a seaport of Denmark, near the south-east corner of Jutland, on the west shore of the Little Belt opposite the island of Funen. Pop. (1930) 19,389. It has good railway communication, and a steam ferry connects with Middelfart, a seaside resort on Funen. There are a considerable shipping trade and railway works, and industries comprise the manufacture of tobacco, salt and chicory, and of cotton goods. A small fort was erected on the site of Fredericia by Christian IV. of Denmark, and his successor, Frederick III., determined about 1650 to make it a powerful fortress. The town first bore the name of Frederiksodde, and only received its present desig nation in 1664. In 1657 it was taken by the Swedes and in 16S9, after the fortress had been dismantled, it was occupied by Fred erick William of Brandenburg. It was refortified in 1709-10. Monuments in the town and vicinity commemorate the fighting of 1849 with the Prussians. The fortress was strengthened again in 1864 and stood a short siege before the Austro-Prussian occupa tion.