The Uniqueness of Life in Longyearbyen, A Town in The Arctic

The Uniqueness of Life in Longyearbyen, A Town in The Arctic

Located far north of the Arctic Circle, Longyearbyen is one of the northernmost permanent settlements in the world. This exotic town located in Norway, specifically in the Svalbard Archipelago, is a hub of human life amidst an extreme and challenging environment. However, it is precisely because of its extreme location that Longyearbyen is a unique and enchanting place. Here, visitors can experience months of polar night without sunlight, or enjoy a midnight sun that never sets. In addition to its extraordinary natural phenomena, Longyearbyen also boasts a fascinating mining history, an open international culture, and a fragile yet captivating Arctic environment.

Geography of Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is located on the west coast of Spitsbergen Island, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Its administrative area covers an area of ​​242.86 square kilometers. The town sits at the foot of Longyeardalen, or the Longyear Valley, which stretches to the west coast of Spitbergen Island. The Longyear Valley, where this exotic town is located, is flanked by two large mountains, Platåberget on one side and Gruvefjellet on the other. The Longyear River, which flows through the center of the valley, divides Longyearbyen into two parts, western and eastern. The lower part of the town lies along the southwest shore of Adventfjorden (Advent Bay), creating a unique meeting point between mountains, rivers, and the Arctic Sea. This geographical feature not only shapes Longyearbyen's visual identity but also influences its climate and the daily lives of its residents.

Longyearbyen Consists of Many Areas

Longyearbyen is divided into several neighborhoods. Bykaia is the area west of the Longyear River, home to the port, utilities, and related industries, including the Harbormaster's Office. On both sides of the Longyear River estuary is Longyearbyen's old port area, known as Sjøområdet (Sea Area). The old town district of Sjøområdet is home to Norway's only coal-fired power plant, Longyear Energiverk. Sjøområdet is a port for shipping coal from the Longyearbyen mine. Svalbard Folkehøgskole (Svalbard High School), the North Pole Expedition Museum, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), and the Svalbard Museum are located south of Sjøområdet. Along the bay, directly east of Sjøområdet, lies the Sjøskrenten area.

Sjøområdet

On the west side of the Longyear River, at the top of Sjøområdet, lies a ridge known as Skjæringa (Skjeringa), the area where the Svalbard Governor's office and Statsbygg (Government House) are located, the state administrative office that serves as the country's primary advisor on construction and property matters. The Skjeringa area, directly overlooking Sjøområdet, also houses the headquarters of the Norwegian telecommunications company, Telenor ASA. The area slightly above the valley, on the west side of the Longyear River, is commonly called Gamle Longyearbyen (Old Longyearbyen). This area also houses Svalbard Kirke (Svalbard Church), an Evangelical Lutheran church inaugurated on August 28, 1921, and is Longyearbyen's only church.

Residential settlements are located in the Gruvedalen, Haugen, Lia, and Nybyen areas. Gruvedalen is Longyearbyen's largest settlement, located east of the city center, north of the Lia settlement. Gruvedalen, Lia, and Haugen are located in the city center, with Nybyen being further south. Slightly south of Gruvedalen is the Lia settlement, located east of the city center. In downtown Longyearbyen, you'll find the Longyearbyen Community Council, Svalbardbutikken (department store), banks, a hospital, and the Longyearbyen Cultural Center.

Haugen

South of the city center is the Haugen area, built in 1946. This district includes Longyearbyen Skole (Longyearbyen School), Haugen Pensjonat (lodging), Svalbarddhallen, and Funken Lodge (a 4-star hotel). Svalbarddhallen (Svalbard Hall) is a fairly complete indoor sports facility, featuring a large sports hall, fitness room, swimming pool, and more. South of Haugen, on the west side of the Longyear River, not far from Nybyen, are Huset (restaurant) and a cinema. Nybyen, meaning 'New Town', is a residential area on the south coast of Longyearbyen, on the east side of the Longyear River, at an altitude of 100 m above sea level. This small settlement, about 2.5 km from the city center, was established between 1946 and 1947 for mine workers. Across from Nybyen is Sverdrupbyen, a former mine workers' settlement founded in 1937.

Extreme Tundra Climate

Longyearbyen has a very cold, dry, and extreme arctic tundra climate year-round. The city's temperature typically ranges from 0°C to 8°C, rarely dropping below -7°C or rising above 11°C. The short, cool, and dry summers last from June to early September, with average daily temperatures ranging from 4.4°C to 7.7°C. The hottest month is July, with an average minimum temperature of 4.4°C and a maximum of 7.7°C. Despite being "summer," these temperatures are still considered cold for most people. Thick fog often blankets the city in summer, creating a surreal atmosphere only found in polar regions.

The long, snowy winters last from early December to late February, with average daily temperatures ranging from -9.4°C to -16°C. February is the coldest month of the year, with temperatures ranging from -10°C to -16°C. Uniquely, although winter technically ends in February, cold temperatures persist until early April, making spring in Longyearbyen a frosty affair. Annual rainfall in the town is relatively low, ranging from 212 to 448.4 mm per year. September is the rainiest month (around 1.4 inches), while April is the driest (around 0.2 inches).

Another unique natural phenomenon is the extreme sunlight cycle. From mid-April to late August, the sun never sets, a phenomenon known as the "midnight sun." Conversely, from late October to mid-February, the town is plunged into total darkness, with no sunlight, known as the "polar night." During winter, strong winds are also a regular occurrence, with average speeds of 10.4 mph (16.7 km/h), and winds can even exceed 13 mph. The windiest period occurs between October and April, while the rest of the year is relatively calm, with average wind speeds of only 7.6 mph (12.2 km/h).

Longyearbyen's Long and Rich History

Longyearbyen was founded in 1907 by John Munro Longyear, an American coal miner. The town was originally named "Longyear City" in honor of its founder. Longyear first visited Spitsbergen in 1901 as a tourist and encountered an expedition searching for coal on the island. In 1906, Longyear and his partner, Frederick Ayer, established a coal mine on the western side of Advent Bay. They built a harbor and housing for the mine workers, most of whom were Norwegian. The mine was operated by their company, the Arctic Coal Company, based in Boston, USA.

However, in 1916, the company ran into financial difficulties and was taken over by Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani (SNSK), a Norwegian company that later became a major player in the Svalbard coal industry. In 1920, through the 'Svalbard Treaty' signed by 14 countries, the Svalbard archipelago was internationally recognized as Norwegian territory. The Svalbard Treaty came into effect five years later, in 1925, when the Svalbard Act established the Governor of Svalbard, responsible for the entire Svalbard archipelago. In 1926, Longyear City was renamed Longyearbyen, which has the same meaning in Norwegian as "Longyear City."

Nybyen

SNSK established several additional settlements, such as Sverdrupbyen in 1937 and Nybyen in 1946, to accommodate workers. Roads connecting the settlements were built, and in 1971, the Svalbard Council was established to manage the town's administration. In 2002, this institution was replaced by the Longyearbyen Community Council, which functions much like a modern municipality. From 1973, the Norwegian government began taking over SNSK's shares, reaching 99.94% ownership by 1976, making the mine state-owned. Longyearbyen, previously a company town until 1989, was reopened and normalized as a public city in 1990. Longyearbyen is now a municipality inhabited by residents from various countries without discrimination.

Longyearbyen Government

Svalbard Governor's Office

The Svalbard Treaty, signed by 14 countries in 1920, declared Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard archipelago. The Norwegian government then established the Svalbard government on July 17, 1925, appointing a governor based in Longyearbyen, the largest city in the archipelago, which serves as the capital and seat of government. The governor's office in Longyearbyen is located on a ridge known as the Skjeringa area. The governor is responsible for the entire Svalbard archipelago, while the Longyearbyen Community Council, headed by a mayor, manages the administration of Longyearbyen. The Longyearbyen Community Council was established in 2002 as a successor to the Svalbard Council, which was formed on November 1, 1971. The Longyearbyen Community Council is responsible for infrastructure and public services in Longyearbyen, including land use, energy, and education.

Resident Life in A Multinational Arctic City

Today, Longyearbyen is not only a mining town, but also a center for education, scientific research, and tourism in the Arctic region. The city's population of approximately 2,748 in 2025 consists of citizens from various countries such as Norway, Thailand, Russia, Sweden, and the Philippines. More than half of Longyearbyen's residents are Norwegian citizens. The majority of Longyearbyen's town residents are adults, with children, teenagers, and the elderly making up a smaller proportion.

Multi-ethnic town in the Arctic region

Longyearbyen's community is open, peaceful, and governed by a policy of high tolerance, given that all residents live in the same extreme conditions. Longyearbyen residents are accustomed to living alongside polar bears, reindeer, polar hounds, and other Arctic animals. No visa or residence permit is required for anyone wishing to live in Longyearbyen. However, becoming a resident of this exotic town is not easy. First, permission must be obtained from the Governor of Svalbard, and certain requirements must be met.

Longyearbyen boasts comprehensive facilities, including schools, universities, churches, museums, restaurants, shops, research institutions, a library, and a small international airport. The presence of the Universitetssenteret på Svalbard AS (UNIS, University Centre in Svalbard), a non-degree institution under the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, established in 1993, makes the town a leading center for Arctic studies. Scientists from various countries come to Longyearbyen to research climate change, glaciers, and polar ecosystems. UNIS offers studies in Arctic geology, geophysics, technology, and Arctic biology.

Transportation in Longyearbyen

Snowmobile

Longyearbyen has 50 km of roads accessible by motorized vehicles. There are over 1,400 registered vehicles in Longyearbyen. Longyearbyen also has car dealerships and repair shops. Of course, using a regular car is inefficient in winter, so snowmobiles are more popular in Longyearbyen. Snowmobiles are also known as snowscooters, motor sleds, snowmachines, motor sledges, skimobiles, or sleds. Most households in Svalbard own a snowmobile as a means of transportation. A small international airport serves Longyearbyen residents who wish to travel. Svalbard Lufthavn (Svalbard Airport) is located in Hotellneset, a peninsula northwest of Longyearbyen. Built in 1973 and opened on September 2, 1975, the airport is operated by the state-owned company Avinor.

Burials Prohibited in Longyearbyen

Funerals are commonplace everywhere. However, this is actually prohibited in the town of Longyearbyen, locatekd on Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. The Longyearbyen government's ban is not without reason. Longyearbyen is located in a frozen region near the North Pole. The average summer temperature in Longyearbyen ranges from 4 to 7°C. In winter, the temperature is much colder, usually below 0°C, ranging from -9 to -16°C. The frozen ground prevents the body from decomposing, similar to the condition of a body frozen in a refrigerated facility. A body that does not decompose in the ground can lead to disease outbreaks, especially if the person died from a viral or bacterial disease. This is why the local government prohibits burials within Longyearbyen.

The extremely cold temperature acts as a natural coolant, preserving anything buried in the frozen ground for decades. The government's decision to ban burials in the town of Longyearbyen began in 1950. During an excavation conducted by researchers in 1998, they discovered that the bodies of residents who died from the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic were still intact, even after decades of burial. Researchers were even able to retrieve live samples from the deadly flu outbreak. This raised concerns that buried, undecomposed bodies could still contain viruses or bacteria that were harmful to the local population. The deceased were not allowed to be buried in the Longyearbyen area unless cremated. Ashes can be buried with government permission. If a resident is seriously ill, they are immediately transferred to the mainland to avoid causing distress in the event of death. Pregnant women about to give birth are immediately sent to the mainland and may only return to Longyearbyen if the mother and baby are fully recovered.

Strict Alcohol Consumption Regulations in Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen, the main city in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, has strict regulations regarding alcohol consumption. In this remote Arctic region, residents cannot freely purchase alcohol like on the Norwegian mainland. They must have a special card to purchase alcohol, and purchases are limited monthly. Generally, each resident is only allowed to purchase two bottles of liquor and 24 cans of beer per month.

These restrictions are not new. They have been in place since Svalbard developed as a mining community. The goal is to control alcohol consumption and prevent its negative impacts, both on health and social behavior. Excessive alcohol consumption can trigger conflict and disrupt the peace of small communities like Longyearbyen. With these restrictions, the local government strives to maintain order and peace in a community living in this extreme environment.

Coexisting with Polar Bears, A Wild and Protected Carnivore

One of the biggest challenges of living in Longyearbyen is the presence of polar bears in the vicinity of the settlement. Located in the heart of the Arctic, the Svalbard Islands are home to polar bears (Ursus maritimus), the world's largest land carnivore, weighing up to 800 kg. Because they pose a significant threat to humans, Longyearbyen residents are advised to always carry firearms and flare guns when traveling outside, regardless of gender.

Polar bears, dangerous animals protected by law

Despite their danger, polar bears are a vulnerable species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are protected by the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act, which prohibits anyone from approaching, chasing, or disturbing polar bears. Killing is permitted only in cases of extreme emergency and life-threatening situations. Therefore, the use of flare guns is the primary option for scaring bears away without harming them. To minimize dangerous interactions, Longyearbyen residents must maintain a safe distance of at least 500 meters from polar bears, except in residential areas, cabins, research facilities, and other facilities. Furthermore, every home must have a covered garbage disposal to prevent food waste from attracting bears to the residential area.

Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice for various activities, such as seal hunting and mating. However, global warming has caused the ice to melt more rapidly, shortening the hunting season and reducing their hunting grounds. As a result, polar bears are increasingly entering residential areas like Longyearbyen in search of alternative food sources. This creates tension between wildlife protection efforts and human safety. Interestingly, polar bears in the Svalbard region are active during winter, even when the Aurora Borealis illuminates the night sky. These extreme conditions and natural beauty make Longyearbyen one of the most unique places in the world, where humans truly coexist with wildlife.

Natural Phenomena in Longyearbyen

1. Polar Day or Midnight Sun

Polar day, also known as the midnight sun, is a phenomenon where the sun remains continuously above the horizon for more than a day. This phenomenon occurs annually from mid-April to the end of August, during which the sun never sets, even at midnight. During this period, the city is bathed in sunlight 24 hours a day, creating an atmosphere of perpetual daylight. The best time to enjoy the beauty of polar day is from a mountaintop or the coast, where the low sunlight creates an unforgettable, magical landscape. The midnight sun is a major draw for tourists seeking to experience this rare Arctic wonder.

2. Dark Season and Polar Night

The polar night is usually preceded by what is known as the dark season or dark period (or mørketid in Norwegian), a phenomenon where the sun's path is completely below the horizon, even at midday, when the sun's path is at its highest point. In the Longyearbyen area, this phenomenon, which occurs only in polar regions, lasts from late October to mid-February. Although this natural phenomenon occurring in winter is called the dark season, the affected areas do not experience total darkness, as the refraction of sunlight during the day still provides some illumination, creating a twilight-like atmosphere. At the end of this 'dark season' period, another, more extreme phenomenon occurs, known as the polar night, the peak of the dark season.

The polar night is the opposite of the midnight sun, where the sun remains continuously below the horizon for more than a day. This phenomenon occurs from mid-November to the end of January, when the sun never appears above the horizon. Polar night can occur if the sun's path is lower than 6° below the horizon throughout the day. The polar night phenomenon, which lasts approximately 79 days, is darker than the dark season, where day and night are indistinguishable. All of Longyearbyen, which lies in darkness for months, is illuminated at certain times by the aurora borealis dancing across the Arctic sky. The Northern Lights are a natural light that illuminates the dark polar night, alongside the moonlight and stars scattered throughout the sky. While it may sound extreme, the polar night offers a unique experience, allowing residents and tourists visiting Longyearbyen to witness the beauty of the Aurora Borealis and the enchanting blue polar twilight. Locals adapt their lifestyles to artificial lighting, and tourists come to enjoy the mysterious atmosphere found only in the polar region. The dark season and polar night are ideal times to hunt for the enchanting northern lights. During the polar night, it's not impossible to witness the beauty of the stars and the northern lights in the darkest day.

3. Blue Hour

During the first and last weeks of the polar night, Longyearbyen experiences a rare moment called the blue hour or blue polar twilight. This phenomenon occurs when the sun is far enough below the horizon that the blue wavelengths of sunlight emitted dominate the sky due to the ozone layer's absorption of electromagnetic radiation. The duration of the blue hour phenomenon varies by location, but it typically lasts around 10 to 30 minutes. The blue hour period lasts longer in regions closer to the poles.

Blue Hour

This phenomenon occurs in the morning or evening (at dawn or dusk). Sometimes blue blends with red, creating a purplish-blue hue that dominates the sky, giving it a surreal and magical fairytale-like feel, making it a favorite time for photographers and nature lovers. Blue Hour creates a stunning view that can only be experienced in polar regions like Longyearbyen. The purplish-blue hue, created by the scattering of sunlight through the low atmosphere, reflects softly on the snow and mountains. Blue Hour is a favorite moment for photographers because the sky takes on dramatic blue gradients, creating magical silhouettes of mountains and fjords.

4. Aurora Borealis

Aurora Borealis of Northern Light

Longyearbyen is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis, a natural light display of green, purple, or pink that dances across the night sky. This phenomenon is most often seen from October to February, when the sky is dark. The aurora borealis is also known as the northern lights, aurora polaris, or polarlys (in Norwegian). Auroras occur when charged particles from the solar wind enter Earth's atmosphere and collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules, producing a colorful glow. The intensity and patterns of the aurora are influenced by solar activity, and strong geomagnetic storms can produce truly spectacular light shows. In Longyearbyen, the combination of the darkness of the polar night and minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for witnessing the dance of the Northern Lights.

Longyearbyen is more than just an exotic town in the Arctic, but a living example of how humans can survive, adapt, and thrive in extreme environments. With a strong mining history, natural phenomena like the midnight sun and polar night, a challenging climate, and a harmonious international community, Longyearbyen is one of the most stunning and unique places on the planet. The beauty and challenges that combine here reflect the uniqueness of life in Longyearbyen, a town in the Arctic, where life can thrive even in the most inhospitable of places. Precisely for this reason, Longyearbyen deserves to be called a jewel at the edge of the world.

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