Dutch explorer Willem Barents who, despite discovering Svalbard, never sighted Barentsøya itself. The name "Barents Land" was only given after an 1865 Swedish expedition. Previously, Dutch whaling captains had referred to it on maps as Zuyd Ooster Land ("Southeastern Land") as early as 1710.

In 1936, Norway built four cabins on the island to formally establish control.

Geography

Barentsøya has an approximately square shape, with maximum lengths

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