Where is Svalbard?

Where is Svalbard a Quick Overview:

• Svalbard is an archipelago of islands located in the Arctic Ocean, approximately halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole in the northern hemisphere.
• Svalbard is one of the most northerly inhabited places on Earth and also one of the easiest to access due to frequent flight connections.
• Svalbard has 9 main islands, with Spitsbergen the largest island.
• Longyearbyen, the main town of Svalbard, is the most northerly town on Earth, located on Spitsbergen and is also home to the Svalbard seed vault.
• Longyearbyen Airport is the most northerly domestic airport on Earth.
• Svalbard is one of the best places to encounter Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic fox, and diverse animal life which thrives in this extreme environment.
• Svalbard is a popular destination for Arctic tourism with activities such as dog sledging, expedition cruising, skiing, and glacier treks.

For me, Svalbard is one of the most beautiful places in the polar regions to visit. One of the things that appeals to travellers is just how far north it is.

When you step off the plane at Longyearbyen airport, you are standing at the most northerly domestic airport on Earth. The air is crisp, the views of the mountains are stunning, and you can already taste the adventure.   

Considering how far north Svalbard is located, it is also one of the most accessible places in the High Arctic that you can visit, thanks to the airport at Longyearbyen with frequent flight connections to mainland Norway.

In this article, I explain the location of Svalbard and share details and facts about Svalbard’s unique location and geography, drawing on my experience exploring Svalbard on numerous expeditions, to help inspire your trip.

The Norwegian territory of Svalbard is the northernmost inhabited land on the planet, yet many people can’t even point to where it is on a map. Let’s go on a geographic journey to find out exactly where Svalbard is.

Where Is Svalbard On A Map?

A map of Svalbard reveals just how far north the archipelago is located, surrounded by the Barents Sea to the East and the Norwegian Sea to the west.

Svalbard’s Coordinates

Svalbard is located between 74° and 81° North and 10° and 35° East.

To put that in perspective, it’s roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, making it one of the most northerly inhabited places on Earth.

If you pulled out a GPS in Longyearbyen, the coordinates would read 78.2232° N, 15.6267° E. – That’s farther north than any other permanent settlement of its size.

Svalbard’s Distance from Major World Cities

To put just how remote Svalbard is into perspective, it’s worth comparing it to distances to major cities around the Earth.

European Cities:

• Oslo, Norway: 2,120 km (1,317 miles)
• London, UK: 2,580 km (1,603 miles)
• Paris, France: 2,890 km (1,796 miles)
• Berlin, Germany: 2,650 km (1,647 miles)
• Moscow, Russia: 2,400 km (1,491 miles)
• Stockholm, Sweden: 1,950 km (1,212 miles)
• Reykjavik, Iceland: 1,570 km (975 miles)

North American Cities:

• New York City, USA: 5,560 km (3,455 miles)
• Los Angeles, USA: 8,840 km (5,494 miles)
• Toronto, Canada: 5,180 km (3,218 miles)
• Anchorage, Alaska: 3,850 km (2,392 miles)

Asian Cities:

• Tokyo, Japan: 7,200 km (4,474 miles)
• Beijing, China: 5,890 km (3,661 miles)
• Mumbai, India: 6,780 km (4,214 miles)

No matter where in the world you are travelling to Svalbard from, you will likely have to pass through Oslo, the capital of Norway.

The North Pole Is A Surprisingly Close Neighbour

One of Svalbard’s most interesting geographic features is its proximity to the North Pole. Longyearbyen is only 1,316 km (818 miles) from the Geographic North Pole, which is closer than Oslo. This means that during summer, the sun never sets (midnight sun), and in winter, there are months of complete darkness (polar night).

It is possible to reach the North Pole from Svalbard on an icebreaker cruise departing from Longyearbyen. Please see our North Pole Cruises to find out more about this extraordinary voyage.

Svalbard is an Archipelago

Svalbard consists of nine main islands (Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Edgeøya, Barentsøya, Bear Island and the smaller islands of Hopen, Kongsøya, Svenskøya, and Kvitøya) along with countless skerries and islets that are dotted all over the archipelago. The archipelago is 61,022 km² – roughly the size of Ireland or West Virginia.

The lack of roads or infrastructure in Svalbard means that an expedition cruise is the best way to explore the islands during the summer months.   

You will likely visit some or all of the following islands on an expedition cruise.

Spitsbergen is the largest island situated on the west coast, with an area of 37,673 km², and all permanent settlements are located here. The island is 400 km long from north to south and 220 km wide from east to west. Cruises depart from Longyearbyen and spend most of their time exploring Spitsbergen. There is a lot to see, from countless glaciers to wildlife and tranquil fjords.

Nordaustlandet is the second largest island, 14,443 km², located northeast of Spitsbergen and almost entirely covered by ice caps. It’s an incredible sight to witness the meltwater waterfalls that cascade over the ice edge during the summer. Whilst it is the highlight of any Svalbard cruise, it is only possible to reach Austfonna during the height of the summer months in July and August.

Kvitøya is known as the white island and is one of the most remote parts of the Svalbard Archipelago. This small island is steeped in history, and it is where they found Swedish explorer Andree, who perished there in his attempt to reach the North Pole by hot air balloon in 1897.

Edgeøya is 5,073 km² and is located southeast of Spitsbergen, with flat terrain and a large polar bear population. It is a less-visited island and only accessible during the height of the summer when the sea ice in the east has receded enough to allow ships safe passage. It is usually visited by a small number of ships doing a Svalbard Circumnavigation cruise along the east coast.

Barentsøya is 1,288 km² and is located between Spitsbergen and Edgeøya. There are some interesting huts and large walrus populations. It is only visited on a Svalbard Circumnavigation.

Svalbard’s Settlements

Svalbard has four inhabited settlements you can visit, which are all located on Spitsbergen. I have visited all of them on multiple occasions and highly recommend a visit to each one.

Longyearbyen

Originally a mining company town, Longyearbyen is the most northerly town on Earth. You can almost guarantee you will visit Longyearbyen as the airport and port are located here, and it is the main entrance to Svalbard. Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Svalbard, where the governor is based. It is equipped for tourism with restaurants, hotels, two excellent museums, a school and a university.

Barentsburg

The 2nd largest settlement in Svalbard, Barentsburg, is a Russian settlement with a working coal mine. It has a hotel where you can stay. Many of the buildings hark back to old Soviet times, and it is like taking a walk into the past. It is possible to visit Barentsburg on a ferry from Longyearbyen during the summer or on a snowmobile during the winter.  

Ny-Ålesund

A scientific research community known as the most northerly settlement on Earth. Located in the Kongsfjord, the area surrounding Ny-Ålesund is spectacular. It is a popular stopping-off place for expedition cruises around Svalbard and the only way to get there if you are not a researcher working at the station.

Pyramiden

Walking around Pyramiden is an eerie experience. The former Soviet Union mining town was abandoned in 1998, and thanks to the Arctic climate, many of the buildings have been preserved. With a local guide, it is possible to enter some of the key buildings, such as the cultural centre, and get a glimpse of Soviet life in the High Arctic.

Maritime Boundaries and Neighbours

Svalbard borders the Greenland Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean system. Its maritime neighbours are:

• Greenland is 450 km west across the Greenland Sea.
• Franz Josef Land (Russia) is 500 km east of the mainland across the Barents Sea.
• Jan Mayen (Norway) is 950 km southwest of the island across the Norwegian Sea.
• The North Pole is 1,316 km north of the frozen Arctic Ocean.

Svalbard Geography Facts

As you plan your trip to Svalbard, here are my top geography facts about the archipelago that I have discovered on my travels there.

• Svalbard has over 2000 glaciers, one of the highest concentrations on Earth. Approximately 60% of the archipelago is covered by glacier ice. Many of Svalbard’s glaciers are retreating due to climate change.
• The largest glacier in Svalbard is Austfonna, located on Nordaustlandet. It is the 3rd largest glacier in Europe.
• The interior of Svalbard is mountainous, with the highest mountain, Newtontoppen, measuring 1,713 metres (5,620 ft) above sea level.
• Svalbard has numerous islands and fjords, which are perfect for exploring. The longest fjord in Svalbard is Wijdefjord at 108km in length.
• Svalbard has seven national parks with a total of twenty-nine protected areas. 65% of the land in Svalbard is in a protected area, ensuring the wildlife and ecosystem remain untouched.
• Svalbard has a population of 2,650 people, with most living in Longyearbyen.
• Its northerly location makes it the perfect breeding ground for polar bears, which live year-round throughout the islands.
• Svalbard is governed by the Svalbard Treaty, which protects the environment and wildlife.
• Svalbard is experiencing warming rates that scientists suggest are six times faster than the global average, leading to significant environmental changes.
• Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights during the winter months, when there is total darkness.

Climate Zones and Ocean Currents

Svalbard is in the Arctic climate zone and is classified as an Arctic desert with little precipitation and low humidity. During the long, cold winters, the temperatures plummet to as low as -20, and 24 hours of darkness as the polar night sets in. If you visit Svalbard in the winter, you will quickly realise what a different place it is in the summer with 24 hours of daylight.  

The warming effects of the ocean currents have a significant impact on the weather. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream reach the western shores of the archipelago, so it’s not completely ice-covered year-round. This positioning creates a microclimate that’s warmer than many places at the same latitude elsewhere in the Arctic.

Several ocean currents converge around the Svalbard Archipelago. The warm West Spitsbergen Current flows north along the western coast, and the cold East Spitsbergen Current brings Arctic water south along the eastern shores.

The permafrost in Svalbard thaws only the top meter of soil during the summer, limiting plant growth and biodiversity in the region. The flora in Svalbard is highly vulnerable, with only 6-7% of the land area covered in vegetation, and most plant species are adapted to harsh conditions.

To discover the weather you will encounter on a cruise, please see the Svalbard Weather Guide.

Svalbard Time Zone and the Midnight Sun

Despite being so far north, Svalbard is in Central European Time (CET) – the same as mainland Norway. This means the sun is at its highest point around 1:00 PM local time during summer, when the midnight sun shines for 24 hours a day. The concept of “solar noon” is meaningless during the polar night, where the sun is not seen for months.

Geology

Svalbard is located on the Eurasian Plate, on the Barents Shelf. The archipelago’s position at the northern edge of this continental shelf explains its geography of mountains, valleys and fjords. The landscapes were carved by ice ages when the original plateau was cut into fjords and mountains. There is evidence in fossil records that at one time the land was in a tropical climate, a complete contrast to today’s icy conditions.  

Strategic and Scientific Importance Above The Arctic Circle

Svalbard’s location makes it strategically important for research in the Arctic and geopolitics. Due to its northerly location, it is a vital base for researching climate change and the effects of global warming in the Arctic, which is happening faster than anywhere else on the planet.

The Norwegian Polar Institute and the University Centre in Svalbard conduct research on the Arctic environment and wildlife, with a focus on conservation and management.

It’s also valuable for atmospheric and space research, with several international research stations at Ny Alesund taking advantage of the polar environment. The Svalbard museum in Longyearbyen is an excellent place to learn more.

Where is Svalbard? FAQ

What’s the difference between Spitsbergen and Svalbard?

Often, people refer to Svalbard as Spitsbergen and vice versa, and there is a good reason for it.

• Spitsbergen is the name given to the largest island where Longyearbyen is located.
• Svalbard is the name of the entire archipelago, including Spitsbergen.

William Barentz, a Dutch explorer who first landed on the archipelago in 1596, named the island he was on Spitsbergen, which means ‘Pointed Mountains’ in Dutch. The name continues to this day.

The name Svalbard originates from the Old Norse and translates as ‘Cold Coasts’. The name was officially adopted in 1925 by the Norwegian Government when it took sovereignty over the archipelago.

Is Svalbard A Part Of Norway?

Yes, Svalbard is officially part of the Kingdom of Norway, but it has a unique status distinct from mainland Norway. For example, Svalbard is outside of the Schengen area and the European Economic Area, so you do not need a visa to travel there.

The Svalbard Treaty, signed in 1920, gave Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard Archipelago. The Svalbard Act of 1925 made Svalbard a part of Norway. Today, Svalbard is administered by the Governor of Svalbard, who is responsible for the territory and appointed by the Norwegian Ministry.

Where is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault?

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located on a hill close to the airport in Longyearbyen. As the seed vault is located outside of the safe zone for polar bears, it is not possible to walk there. The easiest way to reach the seed vault is to take a taxi. Please note that it is not possible to enter the seed vault.

Summary

• Svalbard is one of the most northerly places on Earth, located high above the Arctic Circle halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.
• Longyearbyen is the most northerly town on Earth, with a population of approximately 2,400 residents.
• Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago that consists of 9 main islands covered by glaciers, fjords and mountains.
• 65% of Svalbard is protected by nature reserves, bird sanctuaries, and national parks, which protect vulnerable and endangered species such as polar bears and marine mammals.
• Svalbard is an essential location for ongoing research.
• Svalbard is part of the Kingdom of Norway and has been since 1925, when Norway gained sovereignty.

Travel To Svalbard With Polar Escapes

Are you planning a trip to Svalbard? At Polar Escapes, we are experts in travelling to Svalbard with over 20 trips under our belts. If you have any questions about Svalbard, please ask us.

With Polar Escapes, you can search and book the largest selection of cruises and tours to Svalbard.

Happy Exploring.