The Site is located in the inner parts of Kongsfjorden in western Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. It consists of ten islands covered with rich, grassy vegetation and small freshwater ponds, as well as some skerries and surrounding sea. The vegetation provides the basis for a sizable breeding colony of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis). The islands are also important breeding locations for common eiders (Somateria mollissima) as well as pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus). Kongsfjorden hosts species considered to be rare or threatened, such as the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica). The Site is used as a study area, with Ny-Ålesund, an international research station, located nearby. A small visitor centre provides information about ongoing research activities. Collecting of eider down is still practiced. There is no use of the Ramsar site for recreation or tourism, and the regulations for the nature reserve ban visits from 15 May to 15 August because of the birds’ breeding season.