The South of Spitzbergen is very mountainous,
with a top to 1431 m (Hornsundtind).
It is in 1596 that the Dutchman Willem Barents discovered this area
that he called Spitzbergen (pointed mountain). The Vikings had discovered
this island since 1194 that they called Svalbard (cold coasts).
Sveagruva (or Svea Gruva), located in the fjord Van Mijenfjorden is
a functional Norwegian coal mine. This small city is the third-largest
settlement in Svalbard with a population of about 200.
Van Mijenfjorden is the second largest fjord in western Svalbard,
being 50 km long and about 10 km wide. The island Akseløya
crosses almost the entire fjord width in the outer parts.
South Spitzbergen National Park comprises the southernmost parts of
Spitzbergen. Glaciers or permanent snow and ice covers about 65% of
the area.
SOUTH
SPITZBERGEN
Summer 
Winter
