The town / Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

The origin story

 

The town was established in 1906 by John Munro Longyear (1850-1922). He was the largest owner in the mining company Arctic Coal Company with headquarters in Boston, USA. In 1916, the mines and the settlement were bought by Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani.

 

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Company Town

 

Longyearbyen used to be a mining settlement, but from the beginning of the 1990s society has changed. While there used to be several mines in operation around Longyearbyen, today only Mine 7 is in operation.

 

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Community of today

 

Today, tourism, research and education are the most important economic avenues in addition to mining. Svalbard Airport Longyear has flights to the mainland all year round. There is an active sporting and cultural life in Longyearbyen, where Longyearbyen Lokalstyre is, among other things, responsible for infrastructure, social and spatial planning, in addition to kindergartens and schools.

 

 

 

Local tips!

 

• Longyearbyen has no bank or ATM: Bring several credit cards depending on what type of travel you are doing.

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• Polar bears are protected by law: According to the Svalbard Environment Act §30 it is forbidden to attract, pursue or in any active way seek out polar bears.

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• Food shop closes at 7pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends: Also a wide selection of restaurants and pubs with service until 9-11pm depending on day and time of year.