One thing I didn't see in here that is absolutely relevant to life (but perhaps considered a foregone conclusion by the Norwegian government) is the concept of midnight sun and polar night, where the sun is periodically either above or below the horizon for 24 hours a day for months on end. It's a real mind-bender and can be very tough on the spirit in the winter. Quoting the 'time in Svalbard' Wikipedia article: > A…
Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
31–40 of 92 posts
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#32Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#33What's the typical cloud coverage in Svalbard? Is it typically cloudy? I've always been interested in the polar night strictly from an astronomy viewing perspective. Does the convenience of 24 hour night sky become moot from near constant cloud cover?
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#34Never saw that before. This should be standard everywhere.
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#35The show Fortitude is basically set in Svalbard. Technically, the island is called Fortitude but basically just for artistic freedom; it's basically Svalbard. Even though the show is fiction I learned from it that you're essentially required to carry firearms whenever you leave town so that you don't get eaten by polar bears.
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#36Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#37> The use of all violence is prohibited in Norway. You are not allowed to abuse children or use any other kind of corporeal punishment when bringing up children. Severe penalties may be applied to anyone who has physically abused a child. Never saw that before. This should be standard everywhere.
I can't vouch for how seriously those different countries look at the issue, though, despite what they have legislated, e.g. I once had a relationship with a Korean who had been physically abused by both parents and teachers. Here in Denmark it was outlawed in the 90s and isn't very common.
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#38“if you are willing to shovel shit in this part of our country it does not entitle you or your family to the rights of the mainland”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/norwegian-po...
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#39Interesting – I was just looking into visiting/living in Svalbard for a couple of months for the unique experience of it. Unfortunately, I could only find one apartment building [1] and the price for an apartment was $6,000 USD. I've read that most of the apartments are owned by companies, and you have to work for the company to have access to the apartment. Does anyone know of any other alternatives for a short stay…
Re: Information for foreign citizens in Longyearbyen [pdf]
#40> The use of all violence is prohibited in Norway. You are not allowed to abuse children or use any other kind of corporeal punishment when bringing up children. Severe penalties may be applied to anyone who has physically abused a child. Never saw that before. This should be standard everywhere.