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| County | Møre og Romsdal | |
| District | Sunnmøre | |
| Municipality | NO-1531 | |
| Administrative centre | Langevåg | |
| Mayor (2003) | Ronny Harald Blomvik (Frp) | |
| Official language form | Nynorsk | |
| Area - Total - Land - Percentage |
Ranked 417 59 km² 57 km² 0.02 % |
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| Population - Total (2004) - Percentage - Change (10 years) - Density |
Ranked 135 7,342 0.16 % 8.4 % 128/km² |
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| Demonym | {{{demonym}}}[1] | |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: | |
| www.sula.kommune.no |
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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.
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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.
Birdlife
Though the area is small, covering a land area of 59 sq. km, there is a great variation in habitats from shallow coastal fjords to mount Sula. As one would expect of a coastal site, waders are well represented with 16 species. Some however are only seen during the spring and autumn migration periods. For more information check: Bird Watching In Norway - Sula
