Spitsbergen
Travel Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen, Norway's largest island located in the Svalbard archipelago, borders the Arctic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea. First inhabited by whalers in the 17th and 18th centuries, 20th century coal miners eventually established communities on the island. Today, while only 2,000 people live in Spitsbergen, millions of animals dwell there. Polar bears are the iconic symbol of Spitsbergen, and over twenty types of marine mammals enjoy the country's diverse waters.
North West Spitsbergen National Park
Located on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, North West Spitsbergen National Park is a safe haven for Arctic wildlife. The park protects the smallest reindeer in the world, the Svalbard reindeer, polar bears, millions of seabird colonies, the arctic fox, walruses, and whales. Remains of 17th century whaling stations and graves scatter the Park, as well as historic sites of failed expeditions to the North Pole. Another popular destination of the Park is the Troll and Jotun hot springs, the northernmost hot springs on earth.
