NORDVEST SPITZBERGEN NASJONALPARK

This 3,560 km² national park was established in 1973 and covers the north-western part of the island of Spitsbergen. It is home to Svalbard reindeer (a smaller species than in Norway), walrus and numerous colonies of pelagic birds. The park also includes the island of Magdalenfjord. Virgohamna, on Danes Island, was the starting point for engineer S. A. Andrée's (failed) 1897 expedition to reach the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon.