Svalbard

Question 1

Where is Svalbard located?

Answer 1

Island archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, north of Norway

Question 2

When was Svalbard discovered?

Answer 2

1596

Question 3

What is the population of Svalbard?

Answer 3

2,600 people

Question 4

What are some economic opportunities in Svalbard?

Answer 4

• 150 species of food that get exported to EU
• Tourism (70,000 tourists)
• Snowmobiling
• University of Svalbard (300 students)
• Coal mining (300 coal miners)
• Global Seed Vault

Question 5

What is the capacity of the Global Seed Vault?

Answer 5

2.5 billion seeds

Question 6

How many seeds are currently stored in the Global Seed Vault?

Answer 6

850,000 seeds

Question 7

What wildlife is notable in Svalbard?

Answer 7

3,500 polar bears

Question 8

What must people carry due to polar bear presence?

Answer 8

Gun

Question 9

What are some climatic conditions in Svalbard?

Answer 9

• Strong winds
• -20°C in January
• Snowfall and drifts

Question 10

What challenges does Svalbard face due to its climate?

Answer 10

Construction difficulties due to cold and 24 hours of darkness in winter

Question 11

What is a potential renewable energy source for Svalbard?

Answer 11

Geothermal energy

Question 12

What is the state of infrastructure in Svalbard?

Answer 12

Only 40 km of roads; overground pipes only due to permafrost thaw

Question 13

What is the primary topic of study related to Svalbard?

Answer 13

The Living World (Ecosystems - cold environments)