Svalbard is the northernmost tip of Europe and its settlements are the northernmost permanently inhabited spots on the planet. The Svalbard islands would be permanently locked in by ice if not for the warmth of the Gulf Stream that makes them habitable. The largest islands are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya and the combined permanent population is less than 3000, nearly all of which is concentrated on Spitsbergen.
The islands were first discovered by Viking explorers in the 12th century. The first recorded voyage here was by the Dutch in 1596, landing on the northwest of Spitsbergen. This coast served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1905.
Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Svalbard with approximately 1,800 inhabitants and it was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. It is the world's northernmost settlement with 1000 people or more and it has the world's northernmost pub, bank and hotel.
In addition to humans, polar bears occur very commonly on Svalbard, all people need to take precautions when outside the settlements: this includes carrying a rifle.
171DX/1 will operate from Spitsbergen Island (Vest-Spitsbergen - IOTA EU-026) which is the main island of the Svalbard archipelago.