Central Western Europe Kingdom of Norway Norway Svalbard Longyearbyen Svalbard (formerly known by its Dutch name Spitsbergen) is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Situated north of mainland Europe, it is about midway between continental Norway and the North Pole. The islands of the group range from 74° to 81° north latitude, and from 10° to 35° east longitude. The largest island is Spitsbergen, followed by Nordaustlandet and Edgeoya. Administratively, the archipelago is not part of any Norwegian county, but forms an unincorporated area administered by a governor appointed by the Norwegian government. Since 2002, Svalbard's main settlement, Longyearbyen, has had an elected local government, somewhat similar to mainland municipalities. Svalbard is the northernmost settlement in the world with a permanent civilian population. Other settlements are farther north, but are populated only by rotating groups of researchers. The islands were first taken into use as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries, after which they were abandoned. Coal mining started at the beginning of the 20th century, and several permanent communities were established. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Company homes, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Company homes, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Company homes, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Company homes, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Company homes, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015. Longyearbyen, Svalbard Islands, Northern Norway, 11.06.2015.