Spitsbergen, land of the polar bears

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Spitsbergen is the largest and only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Constituting the western-most bulk of the archipelago, it borders the Arctic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea. Spitsbergen covers an area of 39,044 km2, making it the largest island in Norway and the 36th-largest in the world. The administrative centre is Longyearbyen, and other settlements, in addition to research outposts, are the Russian mining community of Barentsburg, the research community of Ny-Ålesund and the mining outpost of Sveagruva. The island was first used as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries, after which it was abandoned. Coal mining started at the beginning of the 20th century, and several permanent communities were established.

TEXT FROM WIKIPEDIA, cba SOME RIGHTS RESERVED.

Published: 2012-03-29 16:00:00 UTC

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Liefdefjorden

Spitsbergen has an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other places at the same latitude. The island has many glaciers, mountains and fjords.

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South Coast of Spitsbergen

On the south of Spitsbergen, the temperature is slightly higher than further north and west. During winter, the temperature difference between south and north is typically 5 °C, while about 3 °C in summer.

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Bears Family

Polar bears are the iconic symbol of Spitsbergen, and one of the main tourist attractions. While protected, anyone outside of settlements is required to carry a rifle to kill polar bears in self-defence, as a last resort, should they attack.

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Expedition

The three main industries on Spitsbergen are coal mining, tourism and research. In 2007, there were 484 people working in the mining sector, 211 people working in the tourism sector and 111 people working in the education sector.

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Abandoned Whaling Boat, Bamsebu

Spitsbergen has historically been a base for both whaling and fishing. Norway claimed a 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone around Svalbard in 1977, Norway retains a restrictive fisheries policy in the zone, and the claims are disputed by Russia.

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Monacobreen Glacier, Liefdefjorden

Spitsbergen is the meeting place for cold polar air from the north and mild, wet sea air from the south, creating low pressure and changing weather and fast winds, particularly in winter.

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Bearded Seal Resting

Primarily benthic, the bearded seal feeds on a variety of small prey found along the ocean floor, including clams, squid, and fish. Its whiskers serve as feelers in the soft bottom sediments.

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Polar Bear at Lunch

The bearded seal is a primary food source for the polar bear.

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Clouds over Monacobreen Glacier

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Woodfjorden

Svalbard is on Norway's tentative list for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.