What are the dangers of Svalbard?

What are the dangers of Svalbard?

Biggest dangers on Svalbard

• Polar bears: There is a very real risk of running into one of Svalbard’s few thousand polar bears outside the settlements.
• Avalanches: Climate change is causing an increase in the number of avalanches throughout the archipelago.

Is Svalbard melting?

According to Xavier Fettweis, a climatologist at the University of Liège, the cumulative melting across Svalbard between June 1 and July 31, 2022, was 1.5 times larger than the previous record in 2018. Since the start of summer, he noted, about 40 gigatons (44 billion U.S. tons) of meltwater has poured into the ocean.

Who is the owner of Svalbard?

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

Why is Svalbard important to Russia?

The waters around Svalbard are of strategic significance for Russia as the Northern Fleet must pass through the area to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The concern of the Soviet Union and Russia was therefore to ensure that listening stations and anti-submarine warfare installations were not placed on the archipelago.

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. Housing prices are very high.

Do you have to carry a gun in Svalbard?

You must carry a gun outside the settlements.
In a 2012 law the Governor of Svalbard requires anyone travelling outside the settlements to have the means to scare off a polar bear. This means carrying a firearm is mandatory, and items like flare guns are also highly recommended.

Is Svalbard visa free?

Uniquely, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located in the High Arctic, is an entirely visa-free zone. However, travelers who have a visa requirement to enter mainland Norway/the Schengen area must have a Schengen visa if they travel via mainland Norway/the Schengen area.

What is the population of Svalbard 2022?

2,552
Svalbard and Jan Mayen’s population in 2022
Svalbard and Jan Mayen’s total population was 2,552 in January 2022.

Can anyone move to Svalbard?

Everyone who wants to move to Svalbard must have accommodation and studies or work arranged before they move there. People planning to live on Svalbard must register in the archipelago’s Population Register within 8 days of arrival.

Is Svalbard a rich country?

Poverty in Svalbard is practically nonexistent, but its economic policies and small population shed light on broader social issues. And while the archipelago’s economy is small and seemingly insignificant, it provides a fascinating microcosm of larger societies and a powerful platform for research.

How many Russians live on Svalbard?

Population is on the decline and consists nowadays of about 400 Russian and Ukrainian citizens. A second Soviet-time settlement on Svalbard is Pyramiden, a coal-mining town that was left to ghosts in the late 1990ties.

Is Svalbard in NATO?

‘Neutralising NATO’
Svalbard is “the Achilles heel of NATO in the Arctic”, said James Wither, a professor at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany, because its distance from mainland Norway and “peculiar legal status provides a range of possible pretexts for Russian intervention.

What is minimum wage in Svalbard?

Minimum wage
Salaries in Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands range from 6,610 NOK per month to 117,000 NOK per month.

Is there WIFI in Svalbard?

Svalbard is among the first places in Norway with a functioning 5G mobile network.

Why are cats not allowed in Svalbard?

Petting Cats? Absolutely a no-no! Cats are banned, in the whole archipelago actually. It is for the reason that they might harm the wildlife, specifically the bird’s population.

Can you just move to Svalbard?

How much does it cost 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.

Is Svalbard tax free?

Svalbard is a tax-free area which means that many commodities are cheaper here than on the Norwegian mainland. Longyearbyen has a variety of shops selling everything from perfumes to outdoor- and sports equipment, gifts and souvenirs.

Are there police in Svalbard?

A tiny Arctic police force on these islands halfway between Norway and the North Pole keeps outlaws — and polar bear botherers — at bay. Its 12 officers dash around on snowmobiles, helicopters or in boats keeping the peace among the 3,000 or so hardy souls tough enough to endure the endless winter nights.

Does Russia claim Svalbard?

Svalbard, located midway between Norway’s north coast and the North Pole, is part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the archipelago’s natural resources under a treaty signed in 1920, and some settlements on the archipelago are populated mainly by Russians.

Does Svalbard have TV?

Svalbard Minute by Minute (Norwegian: Svalbard minutt for minutt) is a 221-hour-long 2020 Norwegian slow television broadcast that aired on NRK2 between 31 January at 18:00 to 9 February at 23:59 (CET).
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Does Svalbard have a hospital?

Our hospital in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
The hospital provides both primary care and specialist health services to the population and visitors to Svalbard. There is free parking by the hospital.

Why is Svalbard tax free?

Because of the regulations of the Spitsbergen treaty, Spitsbergen is VAT-free zone and has a low company tax of 16 % rather than 28 %, as in mainland Norway.

Can you drink alcohol in Svalbard?

If you have stayed in Svalbard for at least 24 hours, you can bring alcoholic beverages with you in accordance with applicable rules. See information from the Norwegian Customs Service. For short stays in Svalbard, private individuals have a right to bring alcoholic beverages for reasonable consumption upon entry.

How do people earn money on Svalbard?

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.