SEED TO KNOW ABOUT SVALBARD

  

 

 

Svalbard is uniquely a visa-free zone. It's part of Norway but is separate from the Schengen co-operation and foreigners do not need a visa nor a visit, work or residence permit to reside in Svalbard. However, the only way to access Svalbard is through the Schengen country, Norway.

 Anyone can live and work in Svalbard, a group of Arctic islands, visa-free — as long as they abide by a unique set of rules and don't run out of money. Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago by the North Pole, is one of the world's few visa-free zones. However, a visa for the Schengen area is required when travelling via the Norwegian mainland.

Since India is a party to the Svalbard treaty, Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter or remain in Svalbard itself.

 While anyone can move to Svalbard visa-free, it's not an easy place to live. Polar bears outnumber humans, temperatures range from 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, and there are 24 hours of complete darkness per day from mid-November to late January.

 Residents: The residents of Svalbard have come here for various reasons. Some are adventurers in search of a new Arctic adventure, some are researchers who have come to study the fascinating geology among other topics, and others are normal families who like to live an ordinary life in a place that is anything but ordinary.

 Fauna: Many seabirds use Svalbard as a breeding ground, and it is home to polar bears, reindeer, the Arctic fox, and certain marine mammals. Seven national parks and 23 nature reserves cover two-thirds of the archipelago, protecting the largely untouched fragile environment.

 Tourists : Svalbard has plenty to offer visitors during the summer months, as the midnight sun makes adventures possible all throughout the day and night. The polar nights give Svalbard 24h darkness, but with beer tasting, dog sledding and the northern lights, there's plenty to do in winter.

 Economy: Coal mining, tourism, and international research are Svalbard's major industries.

 Internet: Svalbard is, like most other societies, largely dependent on an internet connection. The fiber connection on Svalbard consists of two separate subsea cables that connect Longyearbyen to the mainland.

 How to reach: The easiest way to get to Svalbard is to fly from mainland Norway to Longyearbyen on Svalbard's largest island, Spitsbergen. The airport at Longyearbyen is served by daily flights from either Oslo or Tromso in mainland Norway.

 Currency: The currency in Svalbard is Norwegian kroner (NOK). The shops in Longyearbyen prefer the use of cards rather than cash for payments.

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

 The cost of living: 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.

 Summer season: In Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the Arctic summer offers exactly that. From early May to late August, the midnight sun bathes Longyearbyen in daylight. During June and most of July, you won't see any difference whatsoever between day and night here in the world's northernmost permanently inhabited town.

 Winter season: Winter temperatures can fall below −30°C in Svalbard. It is so cold in Svalbard that people have to wear thick clothes to protect them from frostbite. It is difficult to work outside because it is so cold.

 Do Explore raw wilderness adventures, and the unique animal life, and eat and live well in the lively city of Longyearbyen. The polar climate, rich wildlife, wild nature, and old mining towns of Svalbard have fascinated travelers for a long time.