ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Barentsoeya, Edgeoeya, King Karl’s Land, Hopen, Prince Karl’s Forland and Bjoernoeya belong to Svalbard, as do all other islands, holms between 74° and 81° N. lat. and 10° and 35° E. long. The land area is approximately 61,020 km², about the size of Troms and Nordland together.

The Dutch seafarer, Willem Barentsz, who rediscovered the islands in 1596 and named them Spitsbergen, was also unaware of ancient writings which indicate that Svalbard, i.e. the land of the cold coasts – may have been discovered by the Vikings as early as 1194. Ancient Icelandic writings relate that the Land "north of the ocean bed" lay four days' voyage away, and was a part of Greenland.

The large quantity of Greenlander whale soon got attention, and a hectic but lucrative whaling time started; and lasted about 200 years. The sovereignty question was already a topic, and Christian IV claimed that Svalbard geographically had to be seen as a part of the Old Norwegian tributary country Greenland.

When the whaling business stagnated, the sovereignty question lost its currency, and remained unsolved. In the period 1715 - 1850, the Russians were running an onshore hunting activity. The Norwegians started the same around 1790, but it did not really get on until 50 years later. The scientific research upon Svalbard seriously started in 1827 with the Norwegian geologist B. M. Keilhaus' expedition. Additionally, Swedish expeditions carried on lots of research during the 19^th century. After 1906, Norway has contributed most to Svalbard's research activity.

The Treaty of Svalbard, which was signed in Paris on February 9, 1920, granted to Norway full and absolute sovereignty over Svalbard. The Treaty of Svalbard became effective August 14, 1925 and according to the Act of July 17, 1925, Svalbard is part of the Kingdom of Norway. Meanwhile, the Treaty also gives other countries extensive rights. Citizens from signatory countries to the Treaty have the same rights as Norwegian citizens to engage in industry, mining, fishing, hunting and maritime and commercial activities. The Treaty stipulates that the taxes that are collected on Svalbard are to be used on the archipelago. Military activities are not permitted.

The population (there are no indigenous inhabitants) changes seasonally but generally numbers about 3,000. Longyearbyen is the administrative centre. During the summer months tourists arrive by boat at Hotellneset, on Advent Fjord. An airport was opened in 1975.

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