- When I moved to Longyearbyen, there were a few things that surprised me.
- Residents here get a ration card that limits how much beer and liquor they can buy.
- Because we live near polar bears, I am encouraged to carry a rifle whenever I leave town.
I have always been drawn to the beauty of nature, so for me, moving to Svalbard was the perfect decision. This remote archipelago, located in the Arctic Ocean between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is home to the world’s northernmost city, Longyearbyen.
When I first moved, I felt like I had landed on another planet. Svalbard, which has over 1,000 permanent residents, is a place of blizzards and reindeer randomly wandering the streets – it couldn’t be more different from my old home in Oslo, Norway.
Needless to say, there was a lot I didn’t consider about life here until I actually moved near the North Pole. Here are five surprising things about living in the northernmost city on Earth.
Alcohol is rationed in Svalbard
Residents receive an alcohol card that limits how much beer and liquor they can purchase each month. Eveline Lunde
In Svalbard, residents need a special card to buy alcohol, and a monthly limit governs how much a resident can buy. Most residents can buy up to two bottles of liquor and 24 cans of beer each month.
This system dates back to when Svalbard was a mining community and alcohol rationing was introduced to prevent excessive drinking.
I’m not sure why the town has kept this tradition, but it’s one of the many rules that make life in Svalbard different from the mainland.
It seems that most homes are equipped with a garbage disposal
Polar bears are a constant presence in Svalbard and keeping them away from Longyearbyen is a top priority.
When I got the keys to my first apartment, I was told that all houses must have a garbage disposal to ensure that food waste that could attract bears is not left out.
From what I have seen, almost every resident uses the garbage disposal. It’s not just a convenience – it’s a safety measure.
Despite their name, the northern lights often appear in the south
I often look south to see the northern lights. Eveline Lunde
When I moved to Svalbard, I was excited to see the northern lights. However, I didn’t expect to look south to see them most of the time.
The northern lights are visible within the auroral zone – an area that includes Iceland, Fennoscandia, northern Canada and parts of Alaska and Greenland – that surrounds the north geomagnetic pole. Because Longyearbyen is above the auroral zone, this natural phenomenon often occurs south of us.
The lights are visible during the long polar night when we experience darkness 24/7 for almost four months. For me, seeing the northern lights feels like a magical reward for braving the arctic cold and darkness.
The internet connection is exceptional
Despite Longyearbyen’s remote location, the internet connection here is exceptional. This is because high-speed submarine fiber cables link communications between Svalbard and mainland Norway.
NASA also relies on the Svalbard satellite ground stations for communication with satellites in polar orbit. As a result, Longyearbyen has seen internet speeds that rival those of many cities on the continent.
Residents leaving town are encouraged to carry a rifle
Every time I leave the city, I have to watch out for polar bears. Eveline Lunde
One of the most surprising aspects of life in Longyearbyen is that residents are encouraged to carry a rifle and a firearm when venturing beyond the settlement.
Svalbard is home to many polar bears, and although attacks are rare, the threat is real. Carrying a flare gun allows residents to scare away the bear, and a firearm ensures that residents can defend themselves if necessary. Polar bears are protected by law, so killing one is only allowed in life-threatening situations.
Getting a rifle license usually involves taking a safety course and passing a shooting test. In my experience, these courses are not held often, so it can take months to complete the process and obtain a license.
Although polar bears are majestic, they are dangerous and preparation is non-negotiable.