Kongsøya
 Sentinel-2image (2021) | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Arctic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 78°56′N28°35′E/ 78.933°N 28.583°E |
| Archipelago | Svalbard |
| Area | 191 km2(74 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Norway | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Kongsøyais an island inSvalbard,Norway.It is the largest of the islands inKing Charles Land(Kong Karls Land). Its area is 191 square kilometres (74 sq mi).[1]The other main island in the chain isSvenskøya.
Geography
[edit]Kongsøya is the largest island inKong Karls Land,and has a length of about 40 kilometers. It is separated fromAbel Islandto the east-northeast by the seven-nautical-mile-wide (thirteen-kilometre) straitLydiannasundet,and fromSvenskøyato the west-southwest byRivalensundet(15 nmi or 28 km wide). The strait ofErik Eriksenstretetseparates Kongsøya fromNordaustlandet.[2]
Kongsøya has a long, narrow and bent shape, with a number of headlands and bays. At the southern side of Kongsøya is the wide open bayBreibukta,with several islets and skerries. The islands ofHelgoland IslandandTirpitzøyaare located south of Breibukta. Further east, betweenTømmernesetandBremodden,is the bayAndréebukta,and on the northern side isSvenskebukta.[2]Further east is the bayBünsowbukta,between the headlands ofNordnesetandKapp Koburg.[3]The bay ofVrakbukta,between Kapp Koburg andKennedyneset,faces northwest. To the south is the bayAntarcticbuktaand the headlandKapp Altmann.[4]At the southern side of the island, northeast of Kapp Altmann, is the long beachSnøsporvstranda.[5]
The western and eastern parts of Kongsøya are highlands, while the central part consists of lower land. The highest mountain isRetziusfjelletat the western side of the island, with an altitude of 320m.a.s.l.Johnsenberget,at the eastern part of the island, reaches the height of 235 meters.[2]The interior of the eastern side contains the plainRundisflya,named by the circular glaciated areaRundisen.Rundisflya has a height of 50 m.a.s.l. or higher. It contains several smaller lakes, the largest of which isRundisdammen.[6][7]Five smaller lakes,Koppelvatna,are located east of Johnsenberget.[8]
History
[edit]Kong Karls Land was possibly observed by whalerThomas Edgein 1617. It was rediscovered in 1853, reported byErik Eriksen.Hunters killed about 100 polar bears during the winter of 1908–1909. Cabins were built atNordaustpynten,Kapp KoburgandTømmerneset.In 1971 the polar bear was fully protected from hunting. In 1985 the whole Kong Karls Land, including Kongsøya, was totally protected against human traffic.[2][9]
Nature
[edit]Kong Karls Land is regarded the most important hibernating area for polar bears in Svalbard. A density of 14 dens per square kilometer has been observed at Kongsøya.[10]Kongsøya is included in theNordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve,which was established in 1973.[11]In 1985 strong regulations of human traffic on the island were introduced. The purpose is to avoid disturbance of the polar bear at its most important denning locations. It is generally forbidden to visit any of the islands of Kong Karls Land. This also includes the sea area within a distance of 500 meters from the shore, and air traffic lower than 500 meters. Exceptions from the prohibition are supervision activities from the authorities, and to a certain extent scientific exploration or other special purposes, if this does not violate the purpose of the regulations.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Kongsøya (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved10 July2013.
- ^abcdArctic Pilot: Sailing directions Svalbard–Jan Mayen.Vol. 7. Stavanger: The Norwegian Hydrographic Service and The Norwegian Polar Institute. 1988. pp. 382–386.ISBN82-90653-06-9.
- ^"Bünsowbukta (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Antarcticbukta (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Snøsporvstranda (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Rundisflya (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Rundisen (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Koppelvatna (Svalbard)".Norwegian Polar Institute.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^ab"FOR 1985-07-01 nr 1423: Forskrift om ferdselsforbud på Kong Karls Land"(in Norwegian).Lovdata.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^Aasheim, Stein P. (2008).Norges nasjonalparker: Svalbard(in Norwegian). Oslo: Gyldendal. p. 90.ISBN978-82-05-37128-6.
- ^Lauritzen, Per Roger,ed. (2009). "Kong Karls Land".Norsk Fjelleksikon(in Norwegian). Friluftsforlaget.ISBN978-82-91-49547-7.