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:
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 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.