Svalbard

Introduction: Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, situated between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and is important for Arctic geopolitics, polar research and climate science.

Key pointers

  • Country: Norway.

  • Geographical location: Arctic Ocean, between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

  • Largest island: Spitsbergen.

  • Main settlement: Longyearbyen.

  • Climate: Arctic, with long winters and seasonal variations in daylight.

  • Svalbard Treaty: Signed in 1920 and entered into force in 1925.

  • Treaty significance: Recognises Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard while establishing specified rights for nationals and companies of treaty parties under the treaty's conditions.

  • Research importance: The region supports research on glaciers, permafrost, Arctic ecosystems and climate change.

  • Global Seed Vault: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault stores duplicate seed samples to help safeguard global crop diversity.

  • Environmental concerns: Warming temperatures, glacier retreat, sea-ice loss and ecosystem changes.

UPSC focus: Svalbard is under Norwegian sovereignty. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a long-term backup facility for crop seeds, not a gene bank that stores every type of biological material.