Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Region
🌍 Europe
Population
👥 2
Currency
💱 krone
Languages
🗣️ Norwegian
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Svalbard og Jan Mayen
Continent
Europe
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Norwegian
Independence
This territory does not have an official independence day.
Top-Level Domain
.sj
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+47
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+01:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Longyearbyen
ISO Alpha-2
SJ
ISO Alpha-3
SJM
UN Code
744
Geographic Coordinates
78,20
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
61,399#126 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
2,562#235 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
Approximately 0.05 people per square kilometer.
Highest Point (m)
Newtontoppen, 1,717 meters.
Lowest Point (m)
Sea level, 0 meters.
Land Use
Primarily glaciers and barren land; little arable land.
Irrigated Land
There is negligible irrigated land.
Coastline Length
Approximately 3,587 kilometers.
Climate
Arctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
Natural Resources
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
No land borders
Major Rivers
This territory has no major rivers.
Major Lakes
This territory has no major lakes.
Government Type
Territory of Norway, governed by the Governor of Svalbard.
Administrative Divisions
Svalbard is divided into several settlements and areas.
Chief of State
King Harald V of Norway.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway.
Cabinet
The Norwegian Cabinet.
Elections
Elections are held in Norway; residents of Svalbard who are Norwegian citizens may vote.
Judicial Branch
Norwegian judicial system applies.
Legislative Branch
The Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget).
Major Political Parties
Political parties operating in Norway influence the political landscape.
CurrencySource: REST Countries
krone
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)
Economic data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)
Economic data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
GDP per Capita (US$)
Economic data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
GDP - Agriculture (%)
—
GDP - Industry (%)
—
GDP - Services (%)
—
Inflation Rate (%)
Inflation data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked; it follows Norway's inflation rate.
Labor Force (people)
Labor force data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
Unemployment Rate (%)
Unemployment data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked; it reflects conditions in Norway.
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Public debt data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked; it is covered by Norway's debt.
Budget
Budget information is not available separately for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
Exports (US$ billion)
Export data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
Imports (US$ billion)
Import data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
Foreign Reserves
Foreign reserve data is not separately tracked for Svalbard and Jan Mayen; it's part of Norway's reserves.
GDP by Sector
Economic data for Svalbard and Jan Mayen is not separately tracked due to its status as a territory of Norway.
Major Industries
Major industries include tourism and coal mining, though the latter is declining.
Major Export Partners
Export partner data is not separately tracked for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
Major Import Partners
Import partner data is not separately tracked for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

Society

Literacy Rate (%)
Literacy rates are high, similar to Norway.
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)
Birth rate data is not readily available.
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)
Death rate data is not readily available.
Net Migration Rate
Net migration rates fluctuate and are related to seasonal workers and tourism.
Median Age
Median age information is not consistently tracked due to the fluctuating population.
Urban Population (%)
The population is concentrated in settlements; urban population data is not specifically tracked.
Urbanization Rate
Urbanization rate data is not applicable due to the small, primarily settlement-based population.
Life Expectancy (years)
Life expectancy is similar to that of Norway.
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
HIV/AIDS prevalence data is not separately tracked; it is likely very low.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)
Health expenditure data is not tracked separately for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
Ethnic Groups
Information on specific ethnic groups is limited due to the small, fluctuating population, predominantly Norwegian and Russian.
Religions
Religious data is not readily available; the population is primarily Christian.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
Norwegian

Education

Education System
Education in Svalbard follows the Norwegian system.
School Life Expectancy (years)
Data on school life expectancy specifically for Svalbard is not readily available.
Government Education Spending
Education spending aligns with Norwegian government expenditure on education.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is the primary higher education institution.

Culture

Cultural Overview
Svalbard's culture is a blend of Norwegian and international influences, shaped by its history of mining and scientific research.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
  • Første nyttårsdag (2026-01-01)
  • Skjærtorsdag (2026-04-02)
  • Langfredag (2026-04-03)
  • Første påskedag (2026-04-05)
  • Andre påskedag (2026-04-06)
  • Første mai (2026-05-01)
  • Kristi himmelfartsdag (2026-05-14)
  • Syttende mai (2026-05-17)
  • Første pinsedag (2026-05-24)
  • Andre pinsedag (2026-05-25)
  • Første juledag (2026-12-25)
  • Andre juledag (2026-12-26)
Popular Music
Popular music tastes in Svalbard reflect those of Norway and international trends.
Traditional Food
Traditional foods in Svalbard include game meat, seafood, and dishes influenced by Norwegian cuisine.
Sports
Popular sports include skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities due to the environment.
Major Festivals
Svalbard hosts events related to art, science, and the polar environment, such as the Polar Jazz festival.
Famous People
Notable figures are often associated with research, exploration, or administration of Svalbard.
Cultural Heritage Sites
Svalbard has cultural heritage sites related to its mining and exploration history, and historic settlements.
UNESCO Sites
Svalbard does not have any UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Annual Tourist Visits
Data unavailable, very low.
Tourism Overview
Tourism is limited due to the remote location and harsh climate; focused on polar expeditions and wildlife viewing.
Top Tourist Attractions
Northern Lights, polar bear sightings, bird cliffs, glaciers.
Famous Cities
Longyearbyen.
National Parks
Svalbard National Park, Forlandet National Park, Nordre Isfjorden National Park.
Protected Areas
Significant portion of land is protected.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Part of Norway; visa requirements similar to Norway.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Exercise normal precautions.

Healthcare

Healthcare Quality
Healthcare quality is similar to that of Norway.
Medical Cost
Medical costs are comparable to those in Norway.
Number of Hospitals
There is a small hospital in Longyearbyen.
Universal Healthcare
Healthcare in Svalbard is primarily provided by the Longyearbyen Hospital, with services similar to those in Norway.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, primarily in Longyearbyen, and are similar to those in Norway.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, including air transport to the mainland.

Emergency & Safety

Emergency Number (Police)
112 (or the equivalent Norwegian emergency number)
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
113 (or the equivalent Norwegian emergency number)
Emergency Number (Fire)
110 (or the equivalent Norwegian emergency number)
Crime Rate
Crime rates in Svalbard are generally low.
Safety Index
Svalbard has a high safety index.
Military Expenditure
Military expenditure is handled by Norway.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services are provided by Norway, reflecting its administration of Svalbard.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
Svalbard does not have its own military; it is the responsibility of Norway.

Infrastructure

Electricity Access
Electricity access is universal.
Water Access
Water access is universal.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is universal.
Railways
Svalbard does not have a railway system.
Roadways
Roads are limited, primarily serving the populated areas of Longyearbyen.
Transportation System
Transportation primarily relies on air travel, boats, snowmobiles, and limited road infrastructure.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Longyearbyen Airport, Svalbard (LYR) is the primary airport.
Ports
The main port is in Longyearbyen.
Public Transit
Public transit is limited, with some bus services in Longyearbyen.

Technology & Communication

Internet Penetration (%)
Internet penetration is very high, reflecting modern infrastructure.
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Data unavailable.
Tech Startups
Data unavailable.
Innovation Index
Data unavailable.
ICT Development Index
Data unavailable.
TV Broadcast Stations
Data unavailable.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Data unavailable.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)
Data unavailable.
Air Quality Index
Data not available.
Water Pollution Level
Data not available.
Renewable Energy Usage
Data not available.
Environmental Issues
Impacts from climate change, vulnerability to pollution from shipping and tourism.
Natural Hazards
Glaciers, icebergs, avalanches.
Waste Management
Data not available.
Environmental Agreements
Party to agreements relevant to the Arctic region, such as on biodiversity and climate change.
UN Membership
—
Diplomatic Missions
Diplomatic representation is handled by Norway.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Part of the Kingdom of Norway.
Major Treaties
Covered by treaties of Norway.
Visa-Free Countries
Visa policies mirror those of Norway.

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