We have arrived at the world’s northern most airport–Svalbard lufthavn–with scheduled flights. As you can see was are only 1309 km (813 miles) from the North Pole! and about as far as you can get from the south pole (18692 km)!Changes in latitude! Longyearbyen is at 78 degrees north. Not so long since we crossed the arctic circle (66.63 degrees).The town was established by and named after American John Munro Longyear. Wouldn’t you know – a Michigander?! His Arctic Coal Company started mining here in 1906.We walked along the Advent Fjord to enjoy the scenery.Autumn in the Arctic.We can only walk to the Polar Bear Warning Sign without being armed and trained how to use it. This is Longyearbyen’s drinking water reservoir.Our Svalbard Mini- Cruise took us further up the Longyearbyen Valley to Camp Barentz. William Barentz is credited with discovering Spitsbergen, largest island of the Svalbard archipelago.We learned about the explorer and polar bears in a replica of his cabin from Nova Zembla, built to commemorate William Barentz.Of course we had to taste some beer from Svalbard Bryggeri, Worlds Most Northern Brewery. Very nice pilsner and stout was great with fish ‘n chips! Beer is exported to Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic and of course, Norway.
One Reply to “Longyearbyen, Svalbard”
and how is the beer there?
it is definitely a place where few tourists decide to venture to!
so close to the North Pole!
what a history and geography lesson!! much indebted to you guys!
and how is the beer there?
it is definitely a place where few tourists decide to venture to!
so close to the North Pole!
what a history and geography lesson!! much indebted to you guys!