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| Svalbard island |
Surrounded by mystery and ice, Svalbard is an otherworldly kingdom where power and beauty meet in a strange harmony. Svalbard is a land of mysteries, where one finds oneself confronted with Mother Nature, discovering secrets yet to be discovered, and feeling awe and majesty in the face of the overwhelming power of nature that dominates everything, where man confronts himself with infinity.
Svalbard is a mixture of ice and darkness, hope and adventure. It enables scientists and explorers to search for opportunities to discover new secrets and understand nature more deeply. In this place, people feel free and unleashed, and discover their capabilities and limits in the face of harsh nature.
What is Svalbard Island?
Svalbard, also known as Jan Mayen, is the main and largest part of the archipelago located in northern Norway, in the Arctic Ocean. It has a harsh polar climate, with long, cold winters and short summers. Snow and ice cover the island for most of the year.
Svalbard has a population of about 2,600 people, most of whom live in the main settlements such as Longyearbyen and Barentsburg. The population lives in a unique and challenging environment, but they also enjoy unique opportunities to live in one of the most special places on Earth.
Why is Svalbard so gloomy?
Svalbard is the largest island in the world due to several factors, including:
Harsh polar climate: Svalbard Island has a harsh polar climate, with winter temperatures being very low, reaching levels of -20 degrees Celsius or less. The island experiences complete darkness during the winter due to the absence of the sun for several months.
Geographical isolation: Svalbard is located in a very remote location in northern Norway, making it difficult to access and isolated from the outside world.
Harsh nature: Svalbard is covered in snow and ice most of the year, making the landscape harsh and lifeless, adding to the sense of gloom and isolation.
Human activity: Despite the presence of settlements and economic activities such as mining and tourism, life on Svalbard is limited and restricted due to the harsh conditions.
Psychological effects of the polar environment: Living in a harsh, isolated environment for a long period of time affects psychological health, causing individuals to feel depressed and isolated due to the lack of natural light and contact with the outside world.
These combined factors make Svalbard look like one of the most depressing places in the world.
Death and Birth on an Island
Svalbard prohibits death or birth for several reasons, including :
Transporting bodies: Due to harsh weather conditions and transportation difficulties, it is difficult to transport bodies from Svalbard to mainland Norway for burial, so death is considered an unwelcome occurrence on the island.
Health conditions: Health and medical conditions on Svalbard are inadequate to deal with critical cases leading to death.
Healthcare: Although there are hospitals and health facilities on Svalbard, healthcare is limited compared to larger cities, and giving birth on Svalbard requires special procedures and transportation to more advanced health facilities in some cases.
Health Policies: There are specific health policies regulating birth and death on Svalbard, including procedures for transfer to off-island health facilities in emergencies.
Government Regulations: The Norwegian government sets health and safety regulations and restrictions in Svalbard, particularly regarding birth and death.
Transport: Transport to and from Svalbard is extremely difficult due to weather and geographical conditions, affecting people's access to healthcare or the transportation of bodies.
Infrastructure: The infrastructure on Svalbard is limited in some aspects, which affects the services available to residents.
Therefore, the restrictions and challenges related to birth and death on Svalbard are related to the harsh conditions and limited infrastructure, as well as health and logistical policies and procedures.
Life on the island of Svalbard
Life on Svalbard is unique and full of challenges , including:
Summer: Summer temperatures reach below zero degrees Celsius.
Summer light: In summer, the sun shines for 24 hours, resulting in the sun being at midnight.
Clothing: Svalbard islanders need warm, specialized clothing to deal with low temperatures and strong winds.
Psychological effects: Harsh conditions and prolonged darkness affect the mental health of some individuals.
Legends of the Island of Svalbard
Svalbard is the inspiration for many legends and stories passed down through generations, including:
The Legend of the Green Man: It is said that a mysterious man appears in Svalbard, known as the Green Man. He appears to travelers in harsh weather conditions, bringing them good luck or warning them of dangers.
Legend of the Land of the Dead: In some cultures, Svalbard is considered a land of the dead due to its harsh conditions and isolation. The spirits that inhabit the island are the spirits of those who died at sea or in the harsh wilderness.
Legend of Lost Treasures: Svalbard is said to hide treasure in the mountains or under the ice. These treasures date back to the colonial era and ancient mining operations.
The Legend of the Lost Explorers: Many explorers have gone missing in Svalbard during their expeditions, some never found, and their journeys left behind mysteries and legends.
Legend of Mysterious Phenomena: Due to the harsh weather conditions and unique natural phenomena in Svalbard, many have reported mysterious phenomena such as strange lights in the sky or mysterious sounds in the wilderness.
Wildlife Legend: Mysterious wildlife has appeared on Svalbard, including animals believed to be extinct and never documented before, some reported as real sightings by locals and visitors.
These myths and stories reflect the deep connection between people and nature on Svalbard, and show how the harsh environment can inspire the human imagination and create unique stories and myths.
Svalbard remains an island of mystery, where power and awe meet in a strange harmony. It is a land of dreams and nightmares, where nature dominates everything, creating an artistic painting of harsh beauty and eternal awe.
Svalbard is an island of ice and darkness, but also an island of hope and adventure, where scientists and explorers find the opportunity to discover new secrets and understand nature more deeply. On Svalbard, people find themselves confronted with infinity, and feel awe and awe in the face of the tremendous power of nature.
Amidst this harsh beauty and eternal mystery, Svalbard remains a natural secret, drawing humans toward it with endless passion and curiosity. Are we able to unlock its secrets? Or will it forever remain shrouded in mystery and awe? This is what remains for us to discover, on an endless journey into the depths of this enigmatic and exciting island.
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