Geography of Svalbard

Antarctica

The Arctic

Europe

South America

Svalbard is a remote Arctic Archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

Covering an area of about 61,000 square kilometers (23,500 square miles), Svalbard is known for its icy landscapes covered in glaciers and snow-covered peaks. The archipelago consists of several islands, with Spitsbergen being the largest and most inhabited. The unique location makes it one of the northernmost inhabited areas in the world.

Facts about Geography of Svalbard

Arctic
Svalbard

Glacier and Iceberg moving with the flow

Mountainous and Glacial Terrain

Approximately 60% of Svalbard’s landmass is covered by glaciers, when the glaciers melt they flow into the sea, creating many fjords around the coast. The highest peaks, including Newtontoppen, rise over 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) above sea level. These jagged, ice-covered mountains are a defining feature of the archipelago, and they are interspersed with deep valleys and striking, frozen plains.

The landscape is continually shaped by the advancing and retreating glaciers, which carve out vast fjords and deposit rocky moraines across the land.

Coastal Areas and Fjords

Svalbard’s coastlines are deeply indented with fjords, creating some of the most stunning scenery in the Arctic. These fjords, like Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden, are home to a variety of Arctic wildlife and are crucial for Svalbard’s ecosystem.

The cold waters surrounding the islands are rich in marine life, which supports a range of animals, from seabirds and seals to the mighty polar bear. The coastal areas are also key locations for scientific research, with numerous stations studying the effects of climate change and the Arctic environment.

Flowers in Ahlstrandhalvoya - Ingeborgfjellet

Climate and Permafrost

The region’s harsh Arctic climate is moderated somewhat by the warm waters of the North Atlantic Current, which means that temperatures, while cold, are milder than in other locations at similar latitudes. However, permafrost covers much of the land, with the ground remaining frozen year-round beneath a thin active layer that thaws during the short summer months.

The terrain is mostly barren, with limited vegetation consisting of Arctic mosses, lichens, and small flowering plants adapted to survive the extreme cold and short growing seasons.

Becoming Polar Latitudes Expeditions

Geography of Svalbard

Svalbard is a remote Arctic Archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

Facts about Geography of Svalbard

Mountainous and Glacial Terrain

Coastal Areas and Fjords

Climate and Permafrost

Memberships

Awards

Becoming Polar Latitudes Expeditions

Geography of Svalbard

Svalbard is a remote Arctic Archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

Facts about Geography of Svalbard

Mountainous and Glacial Terrain

Coastal Areas and Fjords

Climate and Permafrost

Newsletter sign-up