Svalbard

Svalbard is located in the north of Europe, between Norway and the North Pole, and in the Arctic Ocean. The archipelago is situated to the northernmost part of Norway. Longyearbyen is the capital of Svalbard. Norway handles the defense affairs.

HISTORY:- The Norwegians discovered the islands in the 12th century. In 1920, Norway's sovereignty over the islands was recognized under the Svalbard Treaty.

GEOGRAPHY:- Svalbard is located at 78 00 N, 20 00 E in Northern Europe. The total area of the archipelago is 61,020 sq km. The coastline is 3,587 km long along with the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea. The lowest point is Arctic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Newtontoppen (1,717 m). Svalbard is wild and rugged mountainous. Majority of the highland is covered with ice. The western coast remains clear of ice about one-half of the year. There are several fjords along the west and north coasts.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Svalbard is arctic, tempered by the warm North Atlantic Current, with cool summers, and cold winters. The North Atlantic Current flows along the west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year.

GOVERNMENT:- Svalbard is a territory of Norway. The archipelago is administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor known as sysselmann. The legal system is based on the laws of Norway. The chief of the state is the King Harald V of Norway. Governor Per Sefland is the head of government. The Assistant Governor is Rune Baard Hansen.

ECONOMY:- The economy of Svalbard rests on coal mining. The Norwegian and Russian companies are mining presently in the islands. Almost 60% of the population lines on mining.

Budget:  

revenues: $25.07 million

Expenditures: $NA (2004 est.)

Exports: $197.6 million (2004)

Imports: $NA

Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)

LANGUAGE:- Norwegian is the official language of Svalbard while Russian is also spoken.

CITIES:- The city of Longyearbyen is the capital and the largest city of Svalbard.

POPULATION:- The approximate population of Svalbard is 2,165 (July 2008 est.) with an average growth rate of -0.023%.

RACE:-

Norwegian 55.4%

Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%

Other 0.3% (1998)

TRANSPORTATION:-

Airports: 4 (2007); paved runways: total: 1 (2007); unpaved runways: total: 3 (2007).

Heliports: 1 (2007)

Ports and terminals: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden

    Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen Island in situated in the Arctic Ocean. The larger northeast part of Nord-Jan of the island is connected with the smaller part of Sør-Jan by an isthmus. It is a part of the Kingdom of Norway. Defense is the responsibilities of Norway. The dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano became active in 1970 while the most recent eruption was occurred in 1985.

HISTORY:- From 1614 to 1638, the island was used as a whaling base by the Dutch. Norwegian sovereignty was recognized in 1929.

GEOGRAPHY:- Jan Mayen is located at 71 00 N, 8 00 W in Northern Europe. The island occupies total 377 sq km area. The coastline is 124.1 km long along with the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea. The lowest point is Norwegian Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg (2,277 m). The island is mostly volcanic while it is partly covered by glaciers. Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg is the northernmost active volcano in the world.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Jan Mayen Island is mostly arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog.

GOVERNMENT:- Jan Mayen is a territory of Norway. The island is administered from Oslo through the county governor or fylkesmann of Nordland. The administrative authority has been given to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service.

ECONOMY:- The island is a volcanic island. Economic activities rest on the employment of Norway's radio and meteorological stations.

POPULATION:- There are no indigenous inhabitants in the island.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Airports: 1 (2007); unpaved runways: total: 1.

Ports and terminals: none

 

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