Why has Svalbard become a popular tourist destination?

Since any other place this far North is typically a research station, Svalbard also has the advantage of having accommodations, restaurants, and even its own travel company called Spitsbergen Travel, which operates with the majority of the hotels, tours, and activities that they offer there.

Who owns the island of Svalbard?

the Kingdom of Norway
The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 recognizes Norwegian sovereignty, and the 1925 Svalbard Act made Svalbard a full part of the Kingdom of Norway.

Did Vikings discover Svalbard?

Possible medieval discoveries of Svalbard by Vikings or Pomors. Some scholars believe the Vikings, who were active in the area of Svalbard during the Middle Ages, were the first to discover it. Starting in the 1800s, Norwegian historians began asserting that Vikings discovered the region as early as 1194.

Is Svalbard Norwegian or Russian?

Svalbard, (Old Norse: “Cold Coast”) archipelago, part of Norway, located in the Arctic Ocean well north of the Arctic Circle. The islands lie between longitude 10° and 35° E and latitude 74° and 81° N, about 580 miles (930 km) north of Tromsø, Norway.

Is Svalbard worth visiting?

But despite the significant costs involved and the time it takes to get there, Svalbard is 100% worth a visit. The scenery is spellbinding, and the islands offer you the chance to enjoy experiences that few other destinations can offer.

How is Svalbard at risk from human activity?

The biggest single threat posed by ship-based activities on Svalbard is from a major oil spill. Cruise ships can carry substantial volumes of fuel for their own use. Those fuels are often heavy oils, the most toxic, polluting, and potentially environmentally- damaging fuels if released into the environment.

Do they speak English in Svalbard?

The official language is Norwegian. However, nearly everyone speaks English. In Barentsburg, Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.

Can I buy a house in Svalbard?

Housing and work The Norwegian state owns practically all land in Svalbard and in practice it is not possible to buy a plot for building your own home. Some private housing has been built on rented land. This housing has been sold or rented out to private individuals in Longyearbyen.

How did people get on Svalbard?

From the 1820s the Norwegian hunting expeditions were taken up and continued through the rest of the century. Tromsø gradually replaced Hammerfest as the main port of origin. In the last third of the century, an average 27 Norwegian ships sailed to Svalbard.

Who owned Svalbard before Norway?

Germany and Russia were both excluded from the conference and, in February 1920 the Svalbard Treaty granted Norway full sovereignty over the archipelago. This came with two conditions. Firstly, all signatories to the treaty had equal rights to the economic resources there.

What do Svalbard people eat?

9 must-try food and drink experiences in Svalbard

  • Svalbard Ptarmigan.
  • Coal Mine Beer.
  • Reindeer.
  • Arctic Cod.
  • Svalbarði Polar Iceberg Water.
  • Polar Permaculture Microgreens.
  • Ny-Ålesund Cognac.
  • White Chocolate Polar Bears.

How does Svalbard make money?

The economy of Svalbard is dominated by coal mining, tourism and research. In 2007, there were 484 people working in the mining sector, 211 people working in the tourism sector and 111 people working in the education sector.

How many jobs does tourism provide in Svalbard?

450 out of the 1,650 full-time equivalent jobs (or FTEs) that are carried out by Svalbard’s 2,650 inhabitants are employed in tourism and culture.

Is it expensive to live in Svalbard?

Svalbard is the most expensive place we have visited. With a high cost of living and the fact that almost everything you see here was imported, you will absorb some of that expense in your trip costs. It is also very difficult to travel independently in Svalbard.

How much money do you need to live in Svalbard?

The cost of living in Svalbard is approximately the same as in the rest of Norway. Stipulated costs for accommodation and food is approximately NOK 10 000 per month. All travel expenses to and from Longyearbyen must be paid by the student.

Why can’t you be buried on Svalbard?

Because of the permafrost on Svalbard, burial isn’t possible as bodies simply won’t decompose.

Is there a Mcdonalds in Svalbard?

Family Restaurant and McDrive-In at the highway E6 – Exit 2 – Svinesundparken, Halden!

Can you buy land in Svalbard?

The Norwegian state owns practically all land in Svalbard and in practice it is not possible to buy a plot for building your own home. Some private housing has been built on rented land. This housing has been sold or rented out to private individuals in Longyearbyen.

Do people speak English in Svalbard?

The official language is Norwegian. However, nearly everyone speaks English. In Barentsburg Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.

Is giving birth in Svalbard illegal?

You cannot give birth on Svalbard. Just as you can’t die, you can’t be born on Svalbard either. When a pregnant women has a few weeks remaining before her due date, she must travel to the mainland to give birth.