SPITZ BERGEN

an archipelago of five large islands and several smaller ones in Arctic Ocean (78° 30’ N., 18° E.), c. 500 m. to N. of Norway; largest are W. Spitz bergen, North-East Land, and Edge I.; surface generally an ice-covered plateau (2,000 to 3,000 ft.), with highest point over 5,000 ft.; numerous fine glaciers on E. of North-East Land; climate is arctic, but ameliorating influence of S. W. winds and Atlantic drift is noticeable in W. Spitz bergen, which is free from ice in summer; many good natural harbors; considerable wealth of plant life in summer, but no trees; animals include reindeer, polar bears, ptarmigan, and eider ducks; seals and whales are fast disappearing from vicinity, and fur-bearing animals need protection. Within recent years important mineral deposits have been discovered—(e.g.) coal (estimated at 8,000,000,000 tons), iron ore, copper ore, tions of natural gas. Mineral resources are being developed by Brit. Norweg., Swed., and Ru ian syndicates: 90,000 tons-of coal exported in 1919. Spitz bergen was discovered in 1596 by Barents and Heemskerke, and has been starting point for many North Polar expeditions; between 1898 and 1902 Ru ian and Swed. expeditions were made to the islands with a view primarily of obtaining a measurement of an arc of the meridian, and in 1919 and 1920 Scottish parties visited the islands to develop the mineral estates. From being a No Man’s Land, the archipelago, including ‘Bear I. (75° N., 18° E.),, became a “political dependency of Norway, under treaty signed at Paris, Feb. 16, 1920. There is a wirele station at Green Harbor. Total summer pop. 1,000;