The archipelago of Spitsbergen, Bear Island and some adjacent islands, which are collectively named Svalbard, is situated between 74° and 81° N. Lat. and 10° and 35° E. Long. The area is 62,000 sq. km.
Spitsbergen is a mountainous country, in some parts much ice-covered, indented on the west side by many fjords affording good harbours. The coal-bearing areas are relatively ice-free. The northern part of Bear Island is a plain 30–50 m. above sea-level. The southern part consists of mountains more than 500 m. high. The island is lacking in good harbours.