| Facts |
Group of islands between 74° - 81° N and 10° - 35° E. Approx. 63 000 sq.km.; approx. 60% covered by glacier. |
| Largest islands |
Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya, Edgeøya and Prins Karls Forland. |
| Settlements |
- Longyearbyen (Norwegian administrative centre) approx. 1500 inhabitants.
- Barentsburg (Russian mining community) approx. 900 inhabitants.
- Ny-Ålesund (Norw. international research centre) approx. 40-100 inhabitants.
- Sveagruva (Norwegian mining community) approx. 210 commuters.
- Hornsund (Polish research station) approx. 8 inhabitants.
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| Administration |
Norwegian sovereignty, regulated by the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. |
| Transportation |
By plane from/to Oslo and Tromsø, Norway There are no roads connecting the communities on Svalbard. |
| Climate |
Despite Svalbard being so close to the North Pole, the archipelago has a relatively mild climate compared to areas at the same latitude. In Longyearbyen, the average temperature ranges from -14°C during the winter to +6°C during the summer. The very lowest temperature was measured in March 1986 at
-46.3°C, while the very highest temperature was measured in July 1979 at +21.3°C. It is not uncommon on Svalbard to have long periods during the winter with temperatures between
-20 and -30 degrees; add to that a wind-chill factor that usually seriously compounds the cooling effect of the low temperatures. During the summer it is common with periods of fog. In terms of precipitation, however, Svalbard may be described as an Arctic
desert with annual rain- and snowfall at a mere 200-300 mm. The weather on Svalbard can shift very quickly and local variations are often considerable. |
| Birds and animals |
With populations up to several hundred thousand birds, some of the largest concentrations of birds in the North Atlantic region can be found on Svalbard. Among the birds dominating the bird rocks are the little auk, the kittywake and the fulmar. All along the coast of Svalbard, as well as across the tundra in the large valleys, there are large populations of geese and wading birds. The eider duck nests on all the islands of Svalbard. Most of the birds on Svalbard are migratory, spending the winter in the Barents Sea, along the coast of Norway or on the continent. In all, around 30 bird species nest on Svalbard. The Svalbard ptarmigan is the only bird species that stays on Svalbard throughout the winter.
The Svalbard reindeer and Arctic fox also call Svalbard their home, and are found on most of the islands. A species of mouse called sibling vole has found its way to the Isfjord area, most likely as stowaways on boats.
The polar bear is considered a maritime mammal as it spends most of its life on the drifting pack ice. A large number, however, can be found on the islands east of Spitsbergen, yet you should be prepared to encounter a polar bear wherever you are on Svalbard. The bears give birth to their cubs in snow caves, which they dig on land. Their diet consists primarily of seal meat. In addition to the most common seal species, the ringed seal, there are several other species of seal around Svalbard, including the bearded seal, the common harbour seal and the walrus. The White whale is the most common whale species frequenting the coast of Svalbard.
The rich nutrients found in the Barents Sea are the key source of sustenance for most of the animals living on Svalbard. It is the Gulf Stream bringing a potent mix of warm and cold water, relatively shallow waters and round-the-clock sunshine that allows this polar ocean region to be so tremendously productive during the summer. |
| Clothing |
During the winter, use the warmest and best you have. Several layers of wool, as well as windproof outer garments, are important. If you are going snowmobiling, however, this will still not be enough. On organised snowmobile excursions, the necessary clothing and equipment is usually included. Snowmobile equipment can also be purchased or rented locally. During the summer, we recommend clothes appropriate for a typical autumn tour in the Norwegian mountains. |
| Footwear |
There is plenty of uneven terrain on Svalbard, and solid shoes and mountain boots are highly recommended. The large amounts of snow and ice melting during the summer cause rivers and streams to swell and large areas to become wetlands. Rubber boots are therefore very useful during this period. During the winter, it is important to wear as warm footwear as possible.
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| Transport |
There are no roads connecting the settlements on Svalbard. There are, however, approx. 45 km of road in and around Longyearbyen. During the summer, boats go to Barentsburg several times a week. The light-aircraft flights to Ny-Ålesund are primarily reserved for the researchers and employees working there. During the summer, you can travel to Ny-Ålesund by boat. In the period March-September there is a shuttle bus service between the airport of Longyearbyen and town. Taxis are available in Longyearbyen. |
| Passport |
All of Svalbard is Norwegian territory, so there is no need for a passport/visa to visit the island or to visit the Russian settlements. Please note, however, that all non-Norwegian citizens must show their passport when returning to the Norwegian mainland. |
| Getting here |
The easiest way of getting to Svalbard is by airplane from Oslo or Tromsø. The flight from Oslo is approx. 3 hours � from Tromsø the flight is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes. Braathens and SAS fly this stretch 11-14 times per week.
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All information on this page is courtesy of
www.svalbard.net. |
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