Interesting and Fun Facts about Svalbard

Fascinating and Cool Quick Facts

Svalbard archipelago, a land of snow and ice within the Arctic Circle… The archipelago, two-thirds of which are protected as natural heritage, draws attention with its rich wildlife and impressive geography. Life in Spitsbergen and Longyearbyen islands is very interesting. The region is also known as “Islands with interesting prohibitions”.

1.The name Spitsbergen actually means rugged hills

2. This name was given by Dutch explorer Willem Barents, who discovered the island by accident while searching the North Sea Route in 1596

3.But besides this fact, there is also the possibility that the Vikings may have found the islands in 1194 many years ago. Because the name Svalbard is first mentioned in Icelandic epics written in the 10th and 11th centuries. The total area of all the islands is 39 thousand square kilometers. When the extreme points are considered, the island is 450 km long and 225 km wide

4.Spitsbergen is one of the few places in the world where the sun shines 24 hours a day in June. Approximately 2 thousand people live in the archipelago. There is also a university on the island of Longyearbyen, which is the administrative center of Svalbard

5.It is assumed that there are five seasons in Svalbard; Spring, summer, autumn, dark winter and normal winter

6.The sun does not rise at all in the season known as dark winter or polar night, and a twilight period is observed in February or March

7.Another winter, the second winter is a favorite of many people. Sky and landscape colors change according to the hours. It looks like the sun could rise above the horizon at any moment. That's why people like this winter more. This event lasts for weeks. Most people who live here come either as tourism or to work in coal mines or as researchers to pursue their studies

8.Those who want to see the sun earlier than everyone else climb the mountains towards the end of February

9.Trollsteinen is the most convenient place. It is at an altitude of 850 meters. As a result of a climb that takes about 2-3 hours, people get their rewards. However, sometimes the sun does not show its face due to unpredictable weather events. It takes a week or two to chase down the first sunlight. However, this is one of the best experiences that residents have had in their lifetime

10.The most interesting thing about the region is that women cannot give birth. The reason is isolation! They are forbidden to give birth due to isolation. Even people who get to the retirement age cannot live on the island. They are sent by the district administration

11.Another interesting rule in Svalbard is that you have to go around with a gun almost everywhere, including the residential area

12.In the region, which is the natural habitat of polar bears, everyone must carry weapons to protect them from possible attacks. Of course, polar bears are not killed. Shots are fired  into the air just to scare the bears

13.Commenting on CNN Travel, traveler Ronny Brunvoll said, "This island is known as the island of contrasts, as we say so"

14.During the polar night, everywhere is pitch black without sunlight. In this pitch darkness, people cannot see even three steps ahead. In the summer, it's the opposite

15.Nearly 40 countries have the right to set up settlements here In accordance with the "Svalbard Agreement" made in 1920, more than 40 countries as of today have the right to establish settlements on the islands

16.Today, only Russia and Norway use this right. Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in the archipelago, is actually Norway’s area

17.Spitsbergen officially appears in Norway’s borders