In the Svalbard archipelago, at 78 degrees north latitude, lies Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world with a permanent population. This Norwegian settlement, founded in 1906 by American businessman John Munroe Longyear as a mining town, has evolved over more than a century to become a fascinating microcosm of human life in the Arctic.
With its streets covered in snow for much of the year and its buildings elevated on pilings to avoid melting the permafrost, Longyearbyen offers a unique view of how humans adapt to extreme conditions. However, this community of approximately 2,100 inhabitants now faces unprecedented challenges due to global climate change.
The climate in Longyearbyen is Arctic, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The average annual temperature is -6.7°C, but global warming is rapidly altering this landscape. In July 2020, a record temperature of 21.7°C was recorded, a clear indicator of the drastic changes the region is experiencing.

One of the most surprising features of Longyearbyen is its demographic diversity. Despite its remote location, the city hosts residents from over 50 different nationalities. This is partly due to the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which allows citizens of the signatory countries to live and work in the archipelago without a visa.
Daily life in Longyearbyen is marked by the extremes of the Arctic solar cycle. From late October to mid-February, the city experiences “polar night”, a period of continuous darkness. In contrast, from mid-April to late August, the sun never sets, a phenomenon known as “midnight sun”. These extreme cycles profoundly affect the residents’ daily rhythm and require significant psychological and physiological adaptations.
The melting of permafrost is threatening the stability of buildings and infrastructure. Avalanches, once rare, have become more frequent and dangerous. In 2015 and 2017, two avalanches caused significant damage and loss of life, leading to the relocation of some residential areas.

Coal mining, once the economic backbone of Longyearbyen, is in decline. The last operational mine, Mine 7, has faced temporary closures due to rising temperatures and thawing, prompting the Norwegian government to seek more sustainable alternatives.
One such alternative is tourism, which has become a significant source of income for Longyearbyen. Visitors are drawn by the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape, the chance to see the Northern Lights, and the opportunity to experience a unique way of life.
Another is scientific research, where the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) conducts crucial research on climate change, Arctic geology, and polar biology. Additionally, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, inaugurated in 2008, stores duplicates of seeds from around the world as a safeguard for global biodiversity.

Although it is part of Norway, the city has a special status due to the Svalbard Treaty, leading to the creation of a local self-government system that must balance the needs of a diverse community with the special regulations governing the archipelago.
Life in Longyearbyen requires constant adaptation. Residents must be prepared for encounters with polar bears, so it is illegal to leave the city without a weapon.
Houses are built on pilings to prevent heat from melting the permafrost below. And because the permafrost prevents decomposition, burials are prohibited in Longyearbyen; terminally ill patients must be transported to the mainland.

In fact, scientists have found that the bodies of those who died from the 1918 flu pandemic have not decomposed, and they believe they might still harbor live, frozen strains of the virus.
Additionally, cats are banned, and there are restrictions on the amount of alcohol that can be purchased each month.
Despite these challenges, Longyearbyen is a vibrant and resilient community. Residents have developed unique traditions, such as the PolarJazz festival, the northernmost jazz festival in the world, held every February. The city also hosts a cinema, swimming pool, library, and several restaurants and bars, offering a surprisingly high quality of life for its remote location.
This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on August 14, 2024: Longyearbyen, la ciudad más septentrional del mundo con una población permanente, donde es obligatorio llevar un rifle al salir
SOURCES
Longyearbyen Lokalstyre (Web Oficial del Consejo Local)
Norsk Polarinstitutt, Longyearbyen
Store Norske Leksikon, Longyearbyen
Andreas Umbreit, Roger Norum, Svalbard: Spitzbergen, Jan Mayen, Frank Josef Land
Wikipedia, Longyearbyen
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