THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN It’s dark four months of the year, but when the sun returns to Spitsbergen in April, the days lengthen until June, when the sun never sets. The long lasting daylight creates opportunities to see and photograph wildlife enjoying the arctic summer.
CULTURE AND HISTORY Historically, whaling, trapping and mining were the primary industries on Spitsbergen. The island played an important role in the race to the North Pole and today, tourism is a key economic driver. The community of Longyearbyen boasts hotels, restaurants, a library and university.
LONGYEARBYEN— AN UNLIKELY CITY
The streets have no names, owning a cat is illegal and reindeer wander the town. Three thousand polar bears live in the region and a local gourmet restaurant has one of Europe’s largest wine cellars.
SPITSBERGEN DESTINATION GUIDE | 5
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