Svalbard

Svalbard, part of the Kingdom of Norway, lies in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe. It consists of a group of islands ranging from 74° to 81° North, and 10° to 34° East; it forms the northernmost part of Norway. Three islands are populated, Spitsbergen, Bjørnøya and Hopen.

Svalbard
Flag of Norway
(In Detail)
Motto: None
Image:LocationSvalbard.png
Official languageNorwegian
CapitalLongyearbyen
KingHarald V
GovernorOdd Olsen Ingerø
Area
 - Total
Ranked 122nd
62,049 km²
Population
 - Total (2004)
 - Density
Ranked 230th
2,756
0.04/km²
CurrencyNorwegian krone
Time zone
 - in summer
CET (UTC+1)
CEST (UTC+2)
National anthemJa, vi elsker dette landet
Internet TLD.no (.sj allocated but not used (http://www.norid.no/domenenavnbaser/bv-sj.html))
Calling Code47
Contents

History

Main article: History of Svalbard

Vikings and/or Russians may have discovered Svalbard as early as the 12th century. Traditional Norse accounts exist of a land known as Svalbard - literally "cold edge". But the Dutchman Willem Barents made the first indisputable discovery of Svalbard in 1596. The islands served as an international whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries. They also provided the headquarters for many Arctic exploration expeditions. Comprehensive geological mapping of the archipelago was conducted by teams from Cambridge and other universities, led primarily by W. Brian Harland from the 1940s to 1980s.

The largest island in the archipelago is called Spitsbergen (Jagged peaks); the name is commonly but inaccurately used to refer to the whole archipelago.

Politics

Main article: Government of Svalbard

By the terms of the Svalbard Treaty of February 9, 1920, international diplomacy recognized Norwegian sovereignty and designated the area as demilitarized. Norway took over administration of Svalbard in 1925. However, under the terms of this unique treaty, citizens of various other countries have rights to exploit mineral deposits and other natural resources "on a footing of absolute equality". As a result, a permanent Russian settlement, more or less autonomous, grew up at Barentsburg. The Russians abandoned another settlement at Pyramiden in 2000. At one time, the Russian (or Soviet) population of Svalbard considerably exceeded the Norwegian population, although this no longer applies.

An appointed Norwegian governor, the sysselmann, based in the town of Longyearbyen, administers the territory. The callsign for each amateur radio station starts with JW.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Svalbard

Svalbard consists of a group of islands in the Arctic Ocean; ranging from 74° to 81° North, and 10° to 34° East, it forms the northernmost part of Norway and the northernmost lands of Europe. The islands cover an area of 62,050 km². Three large islands dominate: Spitsbergen (39,000 km²), North East Land (14,600 km²) and Edge Island (5,000 km²).

60% of Svalbard is covered by glaciation and snowfields. Indeed, the name 'Svalbard' means 'cold coast'. However, the North Atlantic Current moderates the Arctic climate, keeping the surrounding waters open and navigable most of the year. Svalbard lies north of the Arctic Circle. In Longyearbyen, the midnight sun lasts from April 20 to August 23, and perpetual darkness lasts from October 26 to February 15.

Svalbard also serves as the breeding ground of the barnacle goose and a variety of other birds; best seen from cruise ships. Four mammal species inhabit the archipelago: the Svalbard field mouse Microtus epiroticus, the Arctic fox, the Svalbard reindeer (a distinct sub-species), and polar bears. Since polar bears occur very commonly on Svalbard, all people need to take precautions when outside the settlements: this includes carrying a rifle. Nevertheless, the law protects polar bears, forbidding anyone to harm or disturb them.

There is an astonishing variety of flowering plants on Svalbard. Although they are very small, this plants use the short period of 24 hour daylight to produce colourfull blossoms. See also: Flowers of Svalbard.

Map of Svalbard
Enlarge
Map of Svalbard

Settlements

No roads link the settlements on the island; transportation mechanisms include boat, plane, helicopter, and snowmobile.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Svalbard

Economic activity centres on coal mining, supplemented by fishing and trapping. In the final decades of the 20th century, tourism, research, higher education, and some high-tech enterprises like satellite relay-stations have grown significantly. Norway claims an exclusive fishing zone of 200 nautical miles; Russia does not recognize this.

The Svalbard Undersea Cable System which started operation in January 2004 provides dual 1,440 km fiber optic lines from Svalbard to Harstad via Andøy, needed for communicating with polar orbiting satellite stations on Svalbard, some owned by NASA and NOAA.

The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Svalbard

Svalbard has a population of approximately 2,800 people. 60% of the people are Norwegian; 40% are Russian and Ukrainian. The official language of Svalbard is Norwegian, although Russian is used in the Russian settlements.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Svalbard

External links

da:Svalbard de:Svalbard et:Svalbard eo:Svalbardo kaj Jan-Majen-Insulo es:Svalbard fr:Svalbard id:Svalbard it:Svalbard ja:スバールバル諸島 nl:Spitsbergen no:Svalbard nn:Svalbard pl:Svalbard pt:Svalbard ro:Svalbard sk:Svalbard sl:Svalbard fi:Huippuvuoret sv:Svalbard

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