Life at the edge of the world, where nature's extremes shape human survival and scientific discovery.
Dutch explorer discovers and names Spitsbergen during search for Northeast Passage
European whaling stations established. Bowhead whales hunted to near extinction
John M. Longyear establishes Arctic Coal Company, founding Longyearbyen
International treaty recognizes Norwegian sovereignty while guaranteeing equal access to all signatory nations
Strategic Arctic battleground. Evacuations, German attacks, Allied operations
USSR establishes permanent mining operations in Barentsburg and Pyramiden
Svalbard Global Seed Vault opens - "Doomsday Vault" preserving crop diversity
International Arctic research intensifies as climate change accelerates in the Arctic
Over 200 years of whaling operations. Smeerenburg was called "Blubber Town" - a seasonal whaling station with up to 200 men.
Over a century of coal extraction. Swedish, American, Norwegian, and Soviet operations shaped modern Svalbard.
From Cold War surveillance to climate research. Svalbard became a crucial platform for understanding polar science.
The Svalbard Treaty created unique international governance - Norwegian sovereignty with guaranteed multinational access.
Complete darkness for months • Local Time: 17:58:01
Fra Svalbard til fastlandet — vi bygger nettsider for bedrifter i alle klimasoner. Moderne design, skalerbare løsninger, og pålitelig leveranse.