Spitsbergen
Welcome to Spitsbergen, a Polar island in the Greenland Sea, part of the majestic Arctic Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Spitsbergen unique – from its geography and climate to its population, infrastructure, and beyond. Dive into the details:
- Geography and Size: Explore the island’s size and location.
- Climate and Weather: Weather patterns and temperature.
- Topography and Nature: Uncover the natural wonders of the island.
- Infrastructure and Travelling: Insights on reaching, staying, and making the most of your visit.
- News and Headlines: Latest News.
Geography and size of Spitsbergen
Size: 37380 km²
Coastline: 4507 km
Ocean: Arctic Ocean
Sea: Greenland Sea
Continent: Europe
Spitsbergen is a Giant Island spanning 37380 km² with a coastline of 4507 km.
Archipel: Svalbard – A Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, known for its rugged remote terrain, polar bears, and as a center for Arctic research.
Tectonic Plate: Eurasia – One of the world’s largest tectonic plates, the Eurasian Plate covers a significant portion of Europe and Asia. It’s characterized by diverse geological features, including the Ural Mountains, the European Plain, and the Himalayas formed from its collision with the Indian Plate.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: 78.61171661 / Longitude: 15.85584895
Climate and weather of Spitsbergen
Climate Zone: Polar
Climate Details: Tundra
Temperature: Cold
Climate Characteristics: The tundra climate features long, extremely cold winters and short, cool summers. Vegetation is limited to mosses, lichens, and small shrubs due to the low temperatures and short growing seasons. Biodiversity is low, but some specialized species thrive.
Topography and nature of Spitsbergen
Timezone: UTC+01:00
Timezone places: Europe/Paris
Max. Elevation: 1717 m Newtontoppen
Mean Elevation: 453 m
Vegetation: Snow and Ice Covered
Tree Coverage: 15%
The mean elevation is 453 m. Dominating the island’s landscape, the majestic “Newtontoppen” rises as the highest peak, soaring to impressive heights. The island is characterized by Mountains: High, steeply elevated landforms. Characterized by both a high maximum elevation (over 500 meters) and a high mean elevation, creating rugged, mountainous terrains on islands.
Dominating Vegetation: Snow and Ice Covered
These areas are permanently or seasonally covered in snow and ice, with little to no vegetation, such as polar regions and high mountains. Spitsbergen has a tree cover of 15 %.
Vegetation: 12 vegetation zones – Exceptionally Diverse Island
Islands with more than ten vegetation zones are among the most ecologically rich and varied in the world. These islands are akin to miniature continents, boasting an incredible array of ecosystems. The sheer range of habitats, from high peaks to deep valleys, rainforests to deserts, creates a mosaic of life that is unparalleled. They are crucial for conservation and ecological studies.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Spitsbergen
Does the island have a public airport? yes.
Spitsbergen has a public and scheduled airport. The following airports are located on this island: Svalbard Airport, Longyear.
Does the island have a major port? yes.
Spitsbergen is home to a major port. The following ports are situated on the island: BARENTSBURG, LONGYEARBYEN, NY ALESUND.
The mean population of Spitsbergen is 0 per km². Spitsbergen is Uninhabited. The island belongs to Norway.
The name of the island resonates across different cultures and languages. Here is how it is known around the world: Arabic: سبيتسبرغن; German: Spitzbergen; Spanish: Spitsbergen; French: Spitzberg; Portuguese: Spitsbergen; Russian: Западный Шпицберген; Chinese: 斯匹次卑尔根岛
Continuing your journey, Wilhelmoya is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
The remote visa-free island at the top of the world - BBC REEL
Norway is classified as Developed region: nonG7: Developed economies outside of the Group of Seven, characterized by high income and advanced economic structures. The level of income is High income: OECD.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Spitsbergen
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Spitsbergen. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
Social Media Posts about Spitsbergen
Please note: The data used here has been primarily extracted from satellite readings. Deviations from exact values may occur, particularly regarding the height of elevations and population density. Land area and coastline measurements refer to average values at mean high tide.