Hjelmeland is known for their fruit (apples, pears, plums, cherries and
strawberries) and fish production. Salmon has been important for the
fish industry in Hjelmeland for a couple of decades, but white fish such
as cod and halibut has increased its value in the latter years.
Hjelmeland
is a very beautiful municipality, with deep fjords, mountains,
archipelago, and good opportunities for outdoor activities, like fishing
and mountain-trekking,
The municipality (originally the parish) is
named after the old Hjelmeland farm (Old Norse: Hjalmaland), since the
first church was built there. The first element is the plural genitive
case of hjalmr which means "helmet" and this is referring to two heights
behind the farm which have the form of two helmets. The last element is
land which means "land" or "farm".
The coat-of-arms is from modern
times. They were granted on 30 November 1984. The arms show a plait of
straw and are based on the local tradition of making chairs and other
furniture with seats of woven twigs (j�rstoler). The process of weaving
is symbolised in the arms. At the same time the arms show the strength
and solidarity of the municipality
