Hopen

Hopen is a long, narrow island that rises out of the sea about 100 km south of Edgeøya. There are large bird cliffs here. During a normal winter, when the island is surrounded by sea ice, this is an important denning area for polar bears. In 2003 the island officially became a nature reserve, and thereby a protected area. It is very valuable in terms of science, as well as cultural remains. Hopen is home to an important meteorological station, which is manned all year round.