Edgeøya

Edgeøya is the third-largest island of the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, administered by Norway. It lies to the southeast of Spitsbergen and is separated from the main island group by Arctic seas. The coastline is irregular, featuring fjords, inlets and long beaches, while the interior is dominated by low tundra and permafrost. The island experiences a polar maritime climate with cold winters, cool summers, and variable sea ice.

Edgeøya has a history of human activity dating to the 17th century, when whalers and sealers visited the area. It contains remnants of historic hunting huts and other ruins from that era. The island is largely uninhabited today; there are no permanent settlements, though seasonal cabins and research facilities have existed.

Under Norwegian sovereignty, Edgeøya, like the rest of Svalbard, is subject to strict environmental protection. Large portions are protected as nature reserves and special conservation zones to safeguard wildlife and habitats. The island is ecologically important for polar bears and an array of seabirds, seals and marine mammals, and its shores host seasonal predator-prey interactions and breeding colonies.

Access is typically by expedition ships visiting Svalbard's southern or eastern coasts or by air to commercial hubs on Svalbard, with permits and compliance with environmental regulations required for visits.