Arctic Life Svalbard

Svalbard (Свальбард) is an archipelago in the Arctic, constituting the northernmost part of Norway. Located north of mainland Europe, it is about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The group of islands range from 74° to 81° north latitude (and thus inside the Arctic Circle), and from 10° to 35° east longitude. Spitsbergen is the largest island, followed by Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. The administrative center is Longyearbyen, and other settlements, in addition to research outposts, are the Russian mining community of Barentsburg, the research community of Ny-Ålesund and the mining outpost of Sveagruva. The archipelago is administrated by the Governor of Svalbard.
The islands were first taken into use as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries, after which they were abandoned. Coal mining started at the beginning of the 20th century, and several permanent communities were established. The Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920 recognizes Norwegian sovereignty, and the 1925 Svalbard Act made Svalbard a full part of the Kingdom of Norway. They also established Svalbard as a free economic zone and a demilitarized zone. The Norwegian Store Norske and the Russian Arktikugol remain the only mining companies. Research and tourism have became important supplementary industries, featuring among others the University Centre in Svalbard and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. No roads connect the settlements; instead snowmobiles, aircraft and boats serve inter-community transport. Svalbard Airport, Longyear serves as the main gateway.
The archipelago features an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other areas at the same latitude. The flora takes advantage of the long period of midnight sun to compensate for the polar night. Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds, and also features polar bears, reindeer and marine mammals. Seven national parks and twenty-three nature reserves cover two-thirds of the archipelago, protecting the largely untouched, yet fragile, nature. Sixty percent of the archipelago is glacier, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Svalbard
• Polar
• Bears
• snowmobile
• ski-doo
• Spitsbergen
• Longyearbyen
• Norway
• arctic
• North
• pole

[Vishushomesteader]

You're children are definately healthy and happy. Good for you! :) I am impressed that even in the extreme cold you spend a lot of time with them out in nature. That is so important for them and you certainly have some gorgeous nature in Svalbard! I have a new land to add to my list of places to visit.

[torgeirp]

@Vishushomesteader It is not extreem.. It is what we are used to. For us pluss 35 degrees C is extreem. -35 C is OK. If you like outdoor activety, snow and ice, then Svalbard is the right place for you.

[galileo021728]

Do you need to have a gun on you at all time?! Bears?

[torgeirp]

@galileo021728 At all time when we are outside of the Town. But for the record; first and most to scare off the Polar Bears, not kill them, that is the absolute last defense. It also helps a lot to use common sense when someone encounter polar bears.

[happinesson]

A different place! Different culture! Different people! Eskimos are real and alive!

[Piya999]

@arktikgraywolf No Problem. Me too, I'll live in Svalbard in the future, very much away from problems. XD

[arktikgraywolf]

@Piya999 It will be my next "away from civilization" distanation. Thx .

[Piya999]

@arktikgraywolf just go there. You don't need visa or work and residence permit, all you need is money and a place to stay. It's all part of the Svalbard treaty.

[MentosMan727]

COLD ENOUGH FOR YA? NYUK

[Cernunossable]

@Veterankevin is an UFO huhuhuhuhuhhu, not true, is an effect of the camera by sunlight. Oh Svalbard you are beautiful!!!!