What is Nerwey? Deeply Explained

Alex Smith18 Feb, 2026Travel

It is generally accepted that the archipelago was discovered by Willem Barents in 1596, although there is evidence Pomor settlements existed there before that time. In 1611, whaling began off the coast of Spitsbergen, resulting in the near-extinction of the whale population. In the 19th century, the islands of the archipelago were visited by geographical expeditions and were also used as a staging post for expeditions to the North Pole. It was also around this time the first Arctic tourists began to visit Spitsbergen.