SPITSBERGEN (SVALBARD)

Group of islands in the Arctic region rediscovered by Willem Barentsz in 1596 during his expedition in search of a northern passage to India. Dutch whalers founded Smeerenburg there as a settlement for the production of whale oil, and it was in operation between 1614 and 1652. Archaeologists from the Arctic Center at Groningen University excavated many rem nants of this so-called Blubber City between 1978 and 1981. In 2005, the Smeerenburg collection was handed over to Norway.

See also Nordic Company.