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NAVIGATION
Svalbard
sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen) |
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Dependency status:
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territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway |
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Government type:
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NA |
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Capital:
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Longyearbyen |
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Independence:
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none (territory of Norway) |
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National holiday:
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NA |
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Legal system:
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NA |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)
head of government: Governor Morten RUUD (since NA November 1998) and Assistant Governor Odd Redar HUMLEGAARD (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice |
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International organization participation:
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none |
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Flag description:
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the flag of Norway is used |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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NA% |
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Labor force:
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NA |
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Budget:
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revenues: $11.5 million
expenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Electricity - production:
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NA kWh |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 58%
hydro: 42% other: 0% nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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NA kWh |
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Exports:
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$NA |
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Imports:
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$NA |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$8.2 million from Norway (1998) |
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Currency:
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Norwegian krone (NOK) |
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Currency code:
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NOK |
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Exchange rates:
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Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998) |