The Genesis of the Spitsbergen/Svalbard Treaty, 1871–1920

doi:10.1017/9781108555654.015

15 - The Genesis of the Spitsbergen/Svalbard Treaty, 1871–1920

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 March 2023

Roald Berg

Edited by

Adrian Howkins and

Peder Roberts

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Adrian Howkins: Affiliation:
University of Bristol
Peder Roberts: Affiliation:
University of Stavanger

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Summary

The Spitsbergen/Svalbard Treaty of 1920 recognizes Norway as the ‘full and unqualified’ sovereign of the previously terra nullius Spitsbergen archipelago, including Bear Island, an area twice the size of Belgium, although with a much smaller population (currently 2,500 people) and no Indigenous residents.1 Despite Norway’s sovereignty, the Treaty gives the citizens of the signatory powers the same economic rights and right of access to the resources of the archipelago. Furthermore, the Treaty guards the users of Spitsbergen’s resources against heavy tax burdens, as it confines the tax levels to cover the costs of ruling it.

Keywords

Spitsbergen Svalbard Norway imperialism empire Spitsbergen Treaty nationalism internationalism resources

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of the Polar Regions , pp. 354 - 377

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108555654.015 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2023

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