Who Owns The Islands Of Svalbard?

The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 established full Norwegian sovereignty over the archipelago. The islands are, unlike the Norwegian Antarctic Territory, a part of the Kingdom of Norway and not a dependency.

Which country owns Svalbard?

Svalbard, (Old Norse: “Cold Coast”) archipelago, part of Norway , located in the Arctic Ocean well north of the Arctic Circle. The islands lie between longitude 10° and 35° E and latitude 74° and 81° N, about 580 miles (930 km) north of Tromsø, Norway.

Is Svalbard owned by Russia?

However, as Svalbard is under Norwegian sovereignty , the Russian government is represented in Barentsburg by a consulate. This is the northernmost diplomatic mission of any kind in the world. Consequently, the town has a Norwegian postcode, 9178.

Does Russia claim Svalbard?

Beside Norway, Russia is the only of the Svalbard Treaty signatory states that has taken use of its rights to engage in commercial activity in the area . Soviet authorities for decades supported extraction from several coal mines in the area, but today only the Barentsburg mine is in operation.

How is the island of Svalbard governed?

Uniquely, Svalbard is an entirely visa-free zone. ... The institution was established by and is regulated by the Svalbard Act , which also limits which Norwegian laws apply to the islands. Longyearbyen Community Council is the only elected local government and is organized similar to a mainland municipality.

Is Svalbard a rich country?

The economy of Svalbard is dominated by coal mining, tourism and research . ... The same year, mining gave a revenue of 2.008 billion kr, tourism NOK 317 million and research 142 million. In 2006, the average income for economically active people was NOK 494,700, or 23% higher than on the mainland.

Has anyone been born on Svalbard?

You cannot give birth on Svalbard .

However, there are plenty of children living in Longyearbyen!

Is there crime in Svalbard?

Between 130 and 150 criminal cases are reported in Svalbard every year . The majority involve petty theft or criminal damage, but some involve serious accidents, environmental issues and workplace accidents. ... Crime in Svalbard differs considerably from the conditions in densely populated areas on the mainland.

Why is Russia interested in Svalbard?

Due to its location in the Arctic region and its particular environmental conditions, Svalbard is very attractive for scientific research . In the past, the Department of Defense has conducted research there, and it should consider doing so in the future if the need arises.

What is the language of Svalbard?

The official language of Svalbard is not in fact Norweigan, but Swedish , and is the only part of Norway where Swedish is the official language. There are Russian outposts in Svalbard (we will get to that later) which speak Russian (obviously).

Who claims Svalbard?

Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard under a 100-year-old treaty but citizens of all its signatory countries, including Russia, can settle and conduct business there on an equal basis.

Is Svalbard a territory?

The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 established full Norwegian sovereignty over the archipelago . The islands are, unlike the Norwegian Antarctic Territory, a part of the Kingdom of Norway and not a dependency.

How many countries own Svalbard?

Does Svalbard have Internet?

While most of this high Arctic territory lacks high-speed Internet, Svalbard enjoys speeds estimated to be 10 to 20 times as fast as any in the rest of Norway.

How expensive is it to live in Svalbard?

Living expenses

The cost of living in Svalbard is approximately the same as in the rest of Norway. Stipulated costs for accommodation and food is approximately NOK 10 000 per month . All travel expenses to and from Longyearbyen must be paid by the student.

Do they speak English in Svalbard?

The official language is Norwegian. However, nearly everyone speaks English . In Barentsburg Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.