Due to the special status of the Svalbard archipelago, two countries, Norway and Russia, are engaged in economic activities on its land. Russia owns the settlement of Barentsburg and the now mothballed mining settlements of Pyramiden and Grumant.
The archipelago consists of three large islands and seven small islands, as well as numerous small uninhabited islets.
Permafrost, boundless snowy landscapes and routinely spotted polar bears make up the portrait of the archipelago.
More than 3,000 polar bears inhabit Svalbard. This is more than the number of people, which according to the latest census on the archipelago is slightly less than 3,000.
Take a look at Sputnik's photo gallery covering majestic glaciers, rugged mountain scenery and the denizens of vast snowy plains of the Svalbard archipelago!