This antique map from 1665 titled ‘Spitsberga’ depicts the islands of Svalbard and Jan Mayen in the Arctic Ocean. ‘Spitsberga’ translates to ‘sharp peaks’ in English, which is a fitting description for the rugged and mountainous terrain of these islands. In the early 17th century, Svalbard and Jan Mayen were largely unexplored and uninhabited, with only occasional visits by whalers and traders. The harsh climate and barren landscape made survival difficult, but the islands were prized for their rich natural resources, including walrus ivory and whale oil. Longyearbyen, located centrally on Svalbard, was not established until the early 20th century as a mining town. This map provides a glimpse into the remote and untamed Arctic landscape of these islands, which remain sparsely populated to this day.