When you are reading up on the arctic island owned by Norway, you often see the words Svalbard and Spitsbergen used interchangeably. Some stick to only one way of writing it, while others tend to mix it up a little. So, should you use Svalbard or Spitsbergen when talking about this island archipelago? The best … Read more
Svalbard is an incredible island far north in the arctic. It’s technically Norwegian territory, but it is exempt from many Norwegian laws and regulations. Not only will you get kicked off the island if you lose your job, but you also cannot give birth there. So, what’s up with the rule forbidding women to give … Read more
There’s no place just like Svalbard, and this arctic island is a part of Norway. Despite this, Svalbard is located almost 1,000 km north of Norway, so getting to Svalbard from Norway is actually a bit of a challenge. So, what are the best options for traveling to Svalbard? The by far best option of … Read more
Visiting the arctic island Svalbard is a unique experience that feels very different from a trip to mainland Norway. Not only do you have to be armed as a safety measurement against polar bears, but there are also plenty of other quirks and unique things about the island. But how long should you stay at … Read more
All commercial flights from mainland Norway to Svalbard lands on Svalbard airport Longyear, but this airport is located about 5 kilometers north-west of the city Longyearbyen. You will not want to walk these 5 kilometers by yourself (seeing as there’s dangerous polar bears on the island), so what’s the best method of getting from Svalbard … Read more
One of the most common facts you have about Svalbard is that it is illegal to die there. But is this really true? Let’s take a closer look at the laws and guidelines for living and dying on Svalbard (also known as Spitsbergen). There are no laws that prohibit you from dying on Svalbard, and … Read more
Many people believe that there are lots of polar bears in Norway, but this is only a half-truth. While we do technically have polar bears in Norway, most Norwegian people have not even been closer than 1,000 km of one. So, what’s up with the polar bears in Norway? There are no polar bears in … Read more