The breathtaking group of islands captivates every visitor with its untouched nature, majestic glaciers and fascinating wildlife. Polar bears rarely come as close as on these islands!
Svalbard - the cool coast
The breathtaking Svalbard archipelago, which means “cool coast” in Norwegian, enchants with its majestic icy landscape. 80% of the region is covered in ice, which perfectly reflects its name. In summer, temperatures average a mild 6 degrees Celsius, while in winter temperatures drop to an average of -14 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius. During this frosty period, darkness dominates as the sun barely makes it above the horizon - the perfect opportunity to admire the fascinating Northern Lights in all their glory. In summer, on the other hand, the sun never sets and the phenomenon of the midnight sunbathes the sky in glowing orange tones until mid-August.
Svalbard, the main island in the group, is home to the charming capital Longyearbyen and is the only one of the 400-plus islands that is inhabited all year round. With only around 2,700 inhabitants, it is one of the northernmost inhabited areas on earth and has a population density of just 0.04 inhabitants per square kilometer. In fact, there are more polar bears than people living on the islands.
Culinary highlights include delicious seal meat, Svalbard chicken, Svalbard reindeer, fresh cod and Arctic char, often seasoned with aromatic herbs and mushrooms from the local tundra. Since 2008, the archipelago has been home to an impressive plant seed bank with over one million plant samples that could be used in the event of a global plant shortage.
Since 2016, Svalbard has proudly held the Norwegian “Sustainable Destination” certificate and is actively committed to protecting the pristine environment and nature, preserving the unique culture and regulating soft tourism. Today, tourism is one of the most important economic sectors, alongside research, and has replaced coal mining as the most important economic factor in the last century.
The Polar Bears in Svalbard
The white giants glide majestically over the ice floes and snow. Weighing up to 800 kilograms, they leave impressive tracks. Their strong jaws and sharp claws are a warning to be careful: feeding, disturbing or hunting the bears is strictly forbidden. Warning signs and high fences indicate the danger of sharing a life with the bears.
In addition to the approximately 3,000 polar bears, Svalbard is also home to walruses, Arctic foxes, musk oxen and reindeer. Thanks to the fact that two thirds of the group of islands are protected by nature reserves, national parks and protected areas, these animals can spread out and move around almost without restriction.
It is not only on land that majestic animals can be observed. It is also worth taking a look into the Atlantic Ocean: a wide variety of whale species, such as fin and beluga whales, white-beaked dolphins and ringed seals, roam beneath the surface of the water.
For animal and nature lovers, Svalbard offers a unique opportunity to experience the untouched beauty of the Arctic up close. The encounter with the fascinating wildlife and the breathtaking landscape will remain unforgettable.