While the Svalbard Treaty regulates some aspects of that Arctic territory, it acknowledges that the islands are part of Norway.

Both Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land are south of 60°S and are thus part of the Antarctic Treaty System.

[4] The dependencies are administered by the Polar Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in Oslo, Norway's capital.

[7] Norwegian administration is handled by the Polar Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Police, located in Oslo.

The act further establishes that all land in the dependencies belongs to the state, and prohibits the storage and detonation of nuclear products.

All people visiting the area must follow laws regarding protection of nature, treatment of waste, pollution and insurance for search and rescue operations.

[12] It is the most remote island in the world, approximately 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi) south-southwest off the coast of South Africa and approximately 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi) north of the Princess Astrid Coast of Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.

[14] Nyrøysa, created by a rock slide in the late 1950s, is the only easy place to land and is the location of a weather station.

[13] The exclusive economic zone surrounding the island covers an area of 441,163 square kilometres (170,334 sq mi).

[28] There is no permanent population, although there are 12 active research stations housing a maximum average of 40 scientists, the numbers fluctuating depending on the season.