Government of Svalbard
Long Conventional Name
none
Short Conventional Name
Svalbard (sometimes refererd to as Spitzbergen)
Long Local Name
Short Local Name
Government Type
Constitutional Monarchy
Capital City
Longyearbyen
Administrative Divisions
Territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway.
Independence Day
Wednesday, 7th June 1905
Constitutional History
17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal System
The laws of Norway, where applicable, apply.
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State
King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)
Head of Government
Governor Per SEFLAND (since 1 October 2005)
Cabinet
Elections
None; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice.
Legislative Branch
Judical Branch
Flag Description
The flag of Norway is used
