|
|
|
World > Europe > Svalbard
 |
Svalbard |
Introduction:
|
First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory.
|
| Official name: |
Svalbard |
| Capital: |
name: Longyearbyen
geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 33 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October |
| Government type: |
NA |
| Population: |
2,214 (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
Norwegian, Russian |
| Official Currency: |
Norwegian Kroner (NOK)
Current Norwegian Kroner Exchange Rates
Historical Norwegian Kroner Exchange Rates
Chart Norwegian Kroner Exchange Rates |
| Currency code: |
NOK |
| Area: |
total: 61,020 sq km
land: 61,020 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) |
| Climate: |
arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year |
|
Map of Svalbard
|
|
