How cold does Svalbard get in winter?

How cold does Svalbard get in winter?

During the winter temperatures can drop to between -20 and -30 °C (−4.0 °F) for sustained periods.

How long does it stay dark in Svalbard?

We refer to the dark season in Svalbard as the “Polar Night”. This two-and-a-half-month period lasts from mid-November to late January. The sun is at least 6 degrees below the horizon during this period and it’s pitch-dark 24/7.

Is it expensive to live in Svalbard?

Living expenses 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. All travel expenses to and from Longyearbyen must be paid by the student.

Are there mosquitoes in Svalbard?

There are approximately 350 species of insect, mite and spider on Svalbard. In certain localities in Svalbard mosquitoes are found in large numbers. There is only one species (Aedes nigripes) here and the same species is also found on the mainland and on Greenland.

Do they speak English in Svalbard?

The official language is Norwegian. However, nearly everyone speaks English. In Barentsburg Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.

Is it worth going to Svalbard?

But despite the significant costs involved and the time it takes to get there, Svalbard is 100% worth a visit. The scenery is spellbinding, and the islands offer you the chance to enjoy experiences that few other destinations can offer.

Is it 6 months dark in Norway?

In Svalbard, Norway, the northernmost inhabited region of Europe, there is no sunset from approximately 19 April to 23 August. The extreme sites are the poles, where the Sun can be continuously visible for half the year. The North Pole has midnight sun for 6 months from late March to late September.

Is there crime in Svalbard?

Between 130 and 150 criminal cases are reported in Svalbard every year. The majority involve petty theft or criminal damage, but some involve serious accidents, environmental issues and workplace accidents. Crime in Svalbard differs considerably from the conditions in densely populated areas on the mainland.

Does Svalbard have Internet?

Svalbard is among the first places in Norway with a functioning 5G mobile network. The cables made it possible to reach average internet connections of 50 megabits per second in and around Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s main settlement.

Can I work in Svalbard?

Everybody may live and work in Svalbard indefinitely regardless of country of citizenship. The Svalbard Treaty grants treaty nationals equal right of abode as Norwegian nationals. Non-treaty nationals may live and work indefinitely visa-free as well.

Can you be vegan in Svalbard?

If you’re less inclined to eat highly intelligent mammals, then Svalbard does cater to vegans also. Svalbard in Northern Norway is a place where the local restaurant might serve seal, whale and reindeer, but fresh vegetables are so uncommon it’s prohibited to even pick a wildflower.

Which country there is no night?

Originally Answered: Which country does not have a night? In Svalbard, Norway, which is the northern-most inhabited region of Europe, the sun shines continuously from April 10 to August 23. Visit the region and live for days, for there is no night. Don’t forget to get a peek of the northern lights when visiting.

What clothes do you need for Svalbard?

The most essential of all Svalbard clothing – of course, you are going to need a coat to get you through your time in the Arctic north. Here’s a coat that’s called the Svalbard – so if anything is going to hack these kinds of temperatures, it’s probably this coat!

What is it like to work in Svalbard?

Employment is always offered on a contract basis. As a general rule, income tax on Svalbard is much lower on the Norwegian mainland at just 8%, but this is offset but a much higher cost of living. Foreign citizens working for a Norwegian employer become members of the Norwegian National Insurance scheme just as if they worked in Oslo.

What is the difference between Spitsbergen and Svalbard?

The archipelago has traditionally been known as Spitsbergen, and the main island as West Spitsbergen. From the 1920s, Norway renamed the archipelago Svalbard, and the main island became Spitsbergen. Kvitøya, Kong Karls Land, Hopen and Bjørnøya were not regarded as part of the Spitsbergen archipelago.

Do you need a visa to live on Svalbard?

Norway, but not. The archipelago is an entirely visa-free zone and you do not need a residence permit to live on Svalbard. But due to the remote nature of the islands and limited employment opportunities, you must be able to support yourself with your own funds if you are not moving with a job offer.