Sula, Møre og Romsdal

Infobox_Kommune
name=Sula
idnumber=1531
county=Møre og Romsdal
landscape=Sunnmøre
capital=Langevåg
governor=Ronny Harald Blomvik (Frp)
governor_as_of=2003
arearank=417
area=59
arealand=57
areapercent=0.02
population_as_of=2004
populationrank=135
population=7,342
populationpercent=0.16
populationdensity=128
populationincrease=8.4
language=Nynorsk
lat_deg=62| lat_min=25| lat_sec=29| lon_deg=6| lon_min=12| lon_sec=22
utm_zone=32V| utm_northing=6924617 |utm_easting=0355745| geo_cat=adm2nd


munwebpage=www.sula.kommune.no
Audio|Sula.ogg|Sula is a municipality and an island in the county of Møre og Romsdal, Norway. It is also one of the most densely populated municipalities of Møre og Romsdal. It should not be confused with the island Sula in the county Sogn og Fjordane.

The island of Sula was originally a part of Borgund municipality. Borgund was merged with Ålesund January 1, 1968 - but the island of Sula was separated from Ålesund as a municipality of its own January 1, 1977.

The name

The municipality is named after the island of Sula. The name is probably identical with the word "sula" f 'cleft'. (Referring to the cleft between the twin peaks of "Rundehornet" and "Vardane".)

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1983). The figure represents the cleft of the island.

Geography

Sula is an island, bordered by Breisundet on the west, Storfjorden and Vartdalsfjorden to the south, Hessafjorden and Borgundfjorden to the north, and the narrow Vegsundet strait to the east; the latter is bridged. The nature is typically coastal; forest is sparse, rock and heather dominate. The highest elevation, Vardane, is a locally speaking modest 776 m.a.s. Its neighbouring municipalities are all separated from it by sea; Hareid to the west, Ørsta to the south, Giske to the north-west and Ålesund to the north and east.

The administrative centre is Langevåg. Other centres include Solevåg, Fiskarstrand, Veibust and Mauseidvåg.

Culture

Sula is noted for strong traditions in the field of music. Also, the community harbours a strong maritime heritage. The influence of neighbouring city Ålesund is strong; many live in Sula while working in Ålesund.

Economy

Manufacturing and production is the most important economical sector. Shipyards, fish processing, textile manufacturing and furniture production are especially vital.

Communication

Communication include the E39 highway, which crosses the bridge at Vegsundet and continues to Solevåg; here, Sula is connected to Ørsta by ferry. Also, Sula is connected to Hareid by ferry at Sulesund.