Giske is an island and municipality in the county of Møre og Romsdal, Norway. It lies north-northwest of the city of Ålesund.

The municipality was separated from Borgund January 1, 1908. The municipality of Vigra was merged with Giske January 1, 1964.

The name

The municipality is named after the farm and island Giske (Old Norse Gizki), since the first church was built there. The name is (probably) identical with the word gizki m 'tablecloth, rag' (the island is small and flat).

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1985) - but it has old roots: It is based upon the old seal of Erling Vidkunnsson from 1343.

Geography

The municipality is composed of four islands: Giske, which gives its name to the municipality because of its historical importance, Vigra, which is where Ålesund's airport is located, Valderøy, where the municipal administration is located, and Godøy. There are also many smaller islands within its boundaries.

History

Giske is also the place where, according to Snorre Sturlason, Harald Fairhair cut his hair after uniting Norway.

The villages (population centers) of Giske include:

• Alnes, which lies in Giske municipality on Godøy island
• Roald is a village on Vigra Island in Giske municipality
• Valkvjet, which lies in Giske municipality on Valderøy island