Svalbard is Norway's northernmost region, and the archipelago is one of the northernmost land-areas in the world. Most of this territory is still pristine, without roads or other signs of human intervention.
Svalbard is defined as a land area situated between 74 and 81 degrees north, and between 10 and 35 degrees east. The archipelago consists of islands of various sizes, the largest of which are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Edgeøya, Barentsøya and Prins Karls Forland. The summit Newtontoppen, on the north-eastern part of Spitsbergen, towers 1713 metres above sea level and is the highest.
Svalbard has an area of about 61 000 square kilometres, more than half of which covered by snow and ice. There are relatively few species of plants and animals, but species may have large populations. Not many humans have lived in Svalbard since Wilhelm Barents first came in 1596, but those who did have left traces, some of which are now cultural heritage.
Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard, is the Norwegian administrative centre. The other settlements are in Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund, Hornsund, Hopen and Bjørnøya.
Animal species in Svalbard have adapted to the severe conditions of the Arctic. Many of them endure extreme cold, periods of lack of nourishment and long Arctic night.