NATIONAL PARKS
There are three national parks on Spitsbergen that aim to protect the wildlife and history of the island. Northwest Spitsbergen National Park contains the remains of whaling stations and arctic expeditions. There are two hot springs in the park, and cliffs comprise about a third of its total space, making it an important bird nesting area. South Spitsbergen National Park is 65% ice cap and much of the rest is tundra. The park has been identified as an important bird area and contains several sanctuaries with breeding pairs of barnacle geese, common eiders, black legged kittiwakes and thick-billed guillemots.
Colonies of little auk can be found
SPITSBERGEN DESTINATION GUIDE | 17
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