Overview of Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Profile

Svalbard consists of numerous islands large and small, located about 1,000 km north of the mainland, between latitudes 74-81°N, with a small resident population mainly in Longyearbyen. Coal mining, research bases, and tourism are the main industries, featuring a desolate tundra landscape woven by glaciers and fjords. Meanwhile, Jan Mayen is a solitary island at the boundary between the Arctic Circle and the North Atlantic, hosting the active volcano Beerenberg, with only military and meteorological personnel stationed. Both territories are managed with high environmental awareness, maintaining unique polar ecosystems including polar bears, walruses, and rare seabirds.

Official name: Svalbard and Jan Mayen (Kingdom of Norway)
Common name: Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Numeric code: 744
Alpha-3 code: SJM
Alpha-2 code: SJ
Population: approximately 2,650 (2023)
Population density: approximately 0.04 people/km²
Primary languages: Norwegian, Russian, English
Major religions: Christianity (Lutheran)
National anthem: Ja, vi elsker dette landet (Yes, We Love This Country)
Calling code: +47
Internet TLD: .sj（未使用）

History

Polar territory with a history of treaty and international administration

In 1596, Dutchman Willem Barentsz is said to have "discovered" Spitsbergen (Svalbard), which was subsequently used as a base for whaling and exploration. Coal resources attracted attention in the early 1900s, with companies from various countries developing mines. The 1920 Svalbard Treaty granted Norway sovereignty while ensuring equal commercial rights to signatory nations, and it was officially incorporated into Norway in 1925. Jan Mayen was used as a fishing base and meteorological station after its 1614 discovery, with Norway declaring sovereignty in 1929, effective in 1930. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union (now Russia) conducted coal mining operations at Barentsburg and Pyramiden, and Russian communities remain today. In recent years, research and tourism have become the main industries, with most areas designated as protected zones under the 1998 Svalbard Environmental Act.

Geography & climate

Over 60% of the island area is covered by glaciers and snowfields, with deeply indented fjords in tundra highlands, contrasting with Jan Mayen's volcanic terrain

Subarctic tundra (polar maritime)

Area: Europe (Arctic) / 61399 km²
Capital: Longyearbyen (administrative center)
Largest city: Longyearbyen
Coastal status: Yes

Natural resources

Coal, Fishing resources, Freshwater glacier water, Wind power, Geothermal (Jan Mayen), Scientific observation data, Wildlife (polar bears, seabirds), Beautiful aurora, Pristine fjords, Glacier caves

Politics

Government: Direct territory of the Kingdom of Norway (administered by the Governor of Svalbard and Jan Mayen County Governor)

Economy

Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)

GDP (nominal):

GDP (PPP):

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Norwegian, Russian, English

Time zone: Central European Time (CET), Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Norwegians, Russians, Ukrainians, Swedes, Germans, Thais

Life expectancy

approximately 83 years (Norwegian mainland standard)

Literacy rate

99%

National sports

Cross-country skiing, Dog sledding, Snowmobiling, Hiking, Trail running