Background: 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 3,587 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway, not recognized by USSR
Territorial sea: 4 nm

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

Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts

Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; there are no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry

Geography
Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)

Population: 3,942 (July 1991), growth rate NA% (1991; about one-third of the population resides in the Norwegian areas (Longyearbyen and Svea on Vestspitsbergen) and two-thirds in the Soviet areas (Barentsburg and Pyramiden on Vestspitsbergen; about 9 persons live at the Polish research station

Ethnic groups: Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981)

Languages: Russian, Norwegian

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population (1991)

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1991)

Environment
Current issues: great calving glaciers descend to the sea

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%)

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway

Capital: Longyearbyen

Executive branch: Chief of State--King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991; Head of Government--Governor Leif ELDRING (since NA)

International organization participation: none

Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Svalbard SvalbardSvalbard

Economy overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Soviet. Each company mines about half a million tons of coal annually. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.

Labor force: NA

Budget: revenues $13.3 million, expenditures $13.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990)

Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1--5.9060 (January 1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987), 7.3947 (1986), 8.5972 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 21,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 11,420 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Disputes international: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Norway and USSR