The town is the largest of all the settlements in the Møre og Romsdal region with a history dating back to the 19th century. The city center is located on the Aspøya and Nørvøya islands and is a significant location for both the oil and fishing industries. When oil was found under the North Sea, some local fishermen became interested in oil exploration. Furniture business is another important source of income; Sykkylven, to the east of Ålesund, is a major furniture factory.