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World > Europe > Svalbard
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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.
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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 |
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Map of Svalbard
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