Sula (Møre og Romsdal)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sula kommune
—  Municipality  —
Coat of arms of Sula kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Sula kommune
Møre og Romsdal within
Norway
Sula within Møre og Romsdal
Sula within Møre og Romsdal
Coordinates: 62°25′29″N 6°12′22″E / 62.42472, 6.20611
Country Norway
County Møre og Romsdal
District Sunnmøre
Municipality ID NO-1531
Administrative centre Langevåg
Government
 - Mayor (2003) Ronny Harald Blomvik (Frp)
Area (Nr. 417 in Norway)
 - Total 59 km² (22.8 sq mi)
 - Land 57 km² (22 sq mi)
Population (2004)
 - Total 7,342
 - Density 128/km² (331.5/sq mi)
 - Change (10 years) 8.4 %
 - Rank in Norway 135
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Official language form Nynorsk
Data from Statistics Norway
Website: www.sula.kommune.no

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.

Contents

[edit] 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.)

[edit] Coat-of-arms

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Economy

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

[edit] 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.