TOP 10 FACTS| SVALBARD

HELLO GUYS, WE POSTED TOP 10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SVALBARD.

HISTORY

Svalbard is a truly unique and breathtaking place. This Arctic archipelago is located north of Norway and is home to some of the most rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife you'll ever come across. From the majestic polar bears to the elusive Arctic foxes, the wildlife here is truly something to behold.

Svalbard has a rich and fascinating history. The first known inhabitants of Svalbard were the Pomors, a group of Russian and Norwegian hunters and traders who visited the islands in search of walrus ivory and furs.

• In the 16th century, the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz discovered the archipelago and named it Spitsbergen which means jagged peaks.
• In the 17th and 18th centuries, Svalbard became a popular destination for whaling and sealing.
• In the 19th century, the mining industry began to take hold in Svalbard. The mining industry was the main economic activity in Svalbard for much of the 20th century.

• In 1920, Norway formally annexed the archipelago, and it has been a part of Norway ever since.

During World War II, Svalbard was occupied by German troops and several mines were converted to produce coal for the war effort. After the war, mining resumed and the population of Svalbard increased.

In recent years, the mining industry has been in decline, tourism and research have become increasingly important to the economy of Svalbard.

1. An archipelago.

An archipelago is an area that contains a chain or group of islands scattered in lakes, rivers, or the ocean.

Svalbard is also an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean, between Norway and the North Pole.

2. Pointed Mountains.

There are 1258 named mountains in Svalbard. The highest and the most prominent mountain is Newtontoppen. It is located at the north east corner on the island of Spitsbergen.

3. Zone of discretion.

Svalbard is a territory of Norway, but it has a special status as a "zone of discretion" with its own governor and laws.

4. Populations.

The population of Svalbard is around 3,000 people, mostly concentrated in the capital city of Longyearbyen.

5. Arctic wildlife.

The archipelago is home to a wide variety of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, and walrus.

6. Rich Coal Deposits.

Svalbard is known as rich coal deposits. Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gave the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation.

7. Tourism.

The archipelago is a popular destination for tourism, particularly for activities such as dog-sledding, skiing, and Arctic cruises. Svalbard is undoubtedly one of the world's premier destinations for nature photography.

8. Global Seed Vault.

Svalbard is also home to several research stations and field camps, including the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which stores seed samples from around the world to ensure food security in the event of a global catastrophe.

9. An Austfonna.

Svalbard is also home to a number of glaciers, including Austfonna, which is the second largest glacier in Europe.

10. Sovereignty of Norway.

The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 recognizes the sovereignty of Norway over the archipelago, but also grants other signatory countries the right to exploit its natural resources.

CONCLUSION :

Despite these challenges, Svalbard remains a truly magical place. It has rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife are truly something to behold, and it's a place that I would highly recommend visiting. Whether you're an adventurer seeking to explore the wilds of the Arctic, or a researcher studying the effects of climate change, Svalbard is a place that you won't want to miss.

THANK YOU FOR READING,