However, the Governor of Svalbard may reject you if you don’t have a source of income, so residents must still secure a job. That’s right – anyone from any country in the world can live and work on Svalbard without securing additional papers or citizenship. Many residents now work in tourism and Arctic research. Though Longyearbyen was founded as a coal mining community on Svalbard, there is only one mine still in operation, and most experts believe the mine will only be operational for ten more years before resources run out. Longyearbyen Was Founded Because of Coal Mining An inhospitable climate, coupled with very basic medical services, make living on Svalbard well past retirement age more difficult than on the mainland. Comparatively, the average age of Norway’s population is 39, and the average age of the US population is around 38. The population of Svalbard is quite young, which is why when you visit Svalbard you won’t see many retirement homes, but you will see two kindergartens in the relatively small town of Longyearbyen. This creates an environment in which… The Average Age of the Population of Svalbard is 33 So if you are a woman in the late stages of pregnancy or an older resident, you are encouraged to head back to mainland Norway (or elsewhere). The rules about birth are mostly for the safety of the mother and baby, as the local hospital is not equipped to handle all possible medical problems associated with childbirth. Because the ground in Svalbard is permafrost, bodies don’t decompose, so the local cemetery stopped accepting bodies nearly a century ago – smartly avoiding any future zombie apocalypses. This post does contain some affiliate links, for which I will earn a small commission. Note: My visit to Svalbard was covered and partly comped by Mary Ann’s Polarrigg and Spitsbergen Adventures however, all opinions and viewpoints expressed in this post are, as always, my own. Here are just a few unexpected, cool, and strange facts about life on Svalbard, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world.ĭon’t have time to read now? Pin and save for later! It turns out there are some surprising daily realities to adjust to when you live in an Arctic settlement among 3,000 polar bears at 78º N latitude. I went to the main town of Longyearbyen on Svalbard to learn more about this remote place. Ever wonder what life is like in the northernmost settlement in the world? If you ever decide to visit Svalbard, you may be in for a few surprises.
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