Sula Municipality

When municipalities were first created in Norway in 1838 under the formannskapsdistrikt law, most of the island of Sula was part of Borgund Municipality and a small southwestern portion of the island belonged to Ulstein Municipality (later part of Hareid Municipality). On 1 July 1958, the southwestern part of Sula island was transferred into Borgund Municipality, unifying the whole island as part of the same municipality. On 1 January 1968, Borgund Municipality (including all of the island of Sula) was merged with the town of Ålesund to form a new, much larger Ålesund Municipality.^[8]

On 1 January 1977, the entire island of Sula and the many small islets around it were separated from Ålesund Municipality to become the new Sula Municipality. The initial population of the Sula Municipality was 6,302. The borders have not changed since that time.^[8]

Sula Municipality includes the main island of Sula plus many small surrounding islets. It is bordered by the Sulafjorden strait to the west, the Storfjorden to the south, the Hessafjorden and Borgundfjorden to the north, and the narrow Vegsundet strait to the east. The only road access to the island is the European route E39 highway bridge over the Vegsundet, connecting it to Ålesund Municipality.

The natural environment is typically coastal with a sparse forest. The landscape is mostly rocky with heather covering the ground. The highest point in the municipality is the 776.85-metre (2,548.7 ft) tall mountain Tverrfjellet on the island of Sula.^[1] Its neighbouring municipalities are all separated from it by sea, with Hareid Municipality to the west, Ørsta Municipality to the south, Giske Municipality to the northwest, and Ålesund Municipality to the north and east.

Sula Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.^[13] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Sunnmøre District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Sula Municipality is noted for strong traditions in the field of music. Nils Petter Molvær grew up in Langevåg. Also, the community harbours a strong maritime heritage. The influence of neighbouring city of Ålesund is strong; many live in Sula while working in Ålesund, which is a short ferry ride or a longer car ride away.

Manufacturing and production is the most important economical sector. Shipyards, fish processing, textile manufacturing, and furniture production are especially vital. The most famous clothing brand from Sula is Devold of Norway, with high quality woolen sweaters and underwear.

Transportation in the municipality includes the European route E39 highway and several minor highways. The E39 highway enters Sula from the north (Ålesund) and it crosses the bridge at Vegsundet and continues west and then south to the Solevågen ferry quay where there are regular ferry routes to Festøya in Ørsta Municipality, across the Storfjorden. Also, there is a ferry connection in southwestern portion of Sula. This ferry has regular routes across the Sulafjorden from Sulasund to the village of Hareid on the island of Hareidlandet in Hareid Municipality.

• Anton Ludvig Alvestad (1883 in Sula – 1956), a politician, government minister, and Mayor of Ålesund Municipality in 1920–1921
• Inger Giskeødegård (born 1956 in Langevåg), an autodidact illustrator
• Cecilie Fiskerstrand (born 1996), a footballer who plays goalkeeper for Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C.