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 is the northernmost possession of the Kingdom of Norway. Three islands are populated: Spitsbergen, Bjørnøya and Hopen.

Geography

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), Nordaustlandet, (Northeast Land), (14,600 km²) and Edgeøya (Edge Island) (5,000 km²). There is also the smaller Barentsøya (Barents Island).

Related Topics:
Island - Arctic Ocean - Norway - Europe - Km² - Spitsbergen - Nordaustlandet - Edgeøya - Barentsøya

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60% of Svalbard is covered by glaciation and snowfields. 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.

Related Topics:
Glaciation - North Atlantic Current - Arctic Circle - Midnight sun - April 20 - August 23 - October 26 - February 15

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Svalbard serves as the breeding ground for large numbers of seabirds, including Brunnich's and Black Guillemot, Puffin, Little Auk, Fulmar and Kittiwake. Other seabirds include Arctic Tern, four species of Skua, and the elusive Ivory Gull. The Svalbard Ptarmigan, found on the larger islands, is the only landbird present for the entire year. Only two songbirds migrate to Svalbard to breed: the Snow Bunting and the Wheatear.

Related Topics:
Brunnich's - Black - Puffin - Little Auk - Fulmar - Kittiwake - Arctic Tern - Skua - Ivory Gull - Ptarmigan - Snow Bunting - Wheatear

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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.

Related Topics:
Microtus epiroticus - Arctic fox - Reindeer - Polar bear - Rifle

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

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Settlements

• Barentsburg (??????????) (Russian settlement ? population of 900)
• Bjørnøya
• Grumant (???????) (Russian settlement, abandoned in 1961, revival of mining operations announced in 2003)
• Isfjord radio
• Longyearbyen (population of 1,700)
• Ny-Ålesund (population of 40)
• Pyramiden (????????) (Russian settlement, abandoned in 2000)
• Smeerenburg (Dutch settlement, abandoned around 1660)
• Sveagruva (population of 210)

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

Related Topics:
Boat - Plane - Helicopter - Snowmobile

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