Svalbard

Midway between mainland Norway and North Pole, Svalbard is a group of islands located in between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea. A part of Norway, Svalbard Archipelago was first taken into use as a whaling base during the 17th and the 18th centuries. Along with mining activities, research and tourism have now become important supplementary industries of the Svalbard national economy.

Featuring an arctic climate, along with the midnight sun to compensate for the polar night, Svalbard Flora and fauna is well adapted to these phenomena. Svalbard Archipelago, home to large populations of polar bears, reindeer and marine mammals, are also an undisturbed breeding ground for many other species of seabirds. With seven national parks and 23 nature reserves, 60 percent of the Svalbard Archipelago is in fact glacier, which is delicate, untouched and fragile. Containing many mountains and fjords, Svalbard is an excellent tourist destination, if you like the ice.