World's Northernmost Town, a photo from Svalbard, North

Photographer's Note

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway (78° north)

Early in June I had the honour of visiting this remote town that is widely considered the northernmost in the world. In the picture you can see the world's northernmost shopping center, supermarket and hospital. The northernmost school, kindergarten and paved road can also be found here. And if you're at the north pole looking for an ATM, then this is the place to go.

The time was 11 pm when I had finished my walk around town and decided to go hiking. And up here the sun isn't stopping you. With 24 hours of daylight you do as you wish. Within the town boundaries, that is. Because in Svalbard there are about as many polar bears as there are people - around 3,000 - and they can attack anytime. So outside of the town boundaries you are obligated to carry a weapon. This includes the mountains surrounding it. Luckily I found some locals who were going the same way and we all got this view towards the Advent Valley as we ascended the mountain and the time passed midnight.

pajaran, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, lucasgalodoido, ikeharel, jhm, worldcitizen, Energysavingelk has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2017-08-08 23:25

Hello Fredrik,

Stunning view of this town where everything is the northernmost. Amazing light in the midnight. I suppose that you haven't encountered the polar bear, the idea of the gun doesn't appeal to me. Loveluy houses, impressive mountains.

Kind regrad s Malgo

jemaflor (146274) 2017-08-08 23:27

Hi Fredrik,
beautiful view, a good POV to present this town, good light, perfect for colors of these houses, lovely snow covered mountains in the BG, tfs.

holmertz (101980) 2017-08-09 0:54

Hej Fredrik,
Detta är en fantastisk vy över Longyearbyen, troligen den bästa jag har sett. Det är en otrolig kontrast mellan de färgglada husen och de vita vidderna. Ljuset och kontrasterna är väldigt bra hanterade. Jag tänkte på isbjörnarna direkt när jag såg bilden. Det är nog mycket farligare att gå på promenad här än på Borneo ;-).
Hälsningar,
Gert

dta (98848) 2017-08-09 1:28

Hello Fredrik ,
A stunning view of this colorful town , in the quite unfriendly , though beautiful , northern landscape .
Regards

lousat (138599) 2017-08-09 2:00

Hi Fredrik,you were lucky to be there,one of the most remote and lovely place of the world i think. Absolutely unique,and caught in a great way from above. Bright colors and fine details in the magic light of the summer midnight,very well done! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85606) 2017-08-09 2:12

hello Fredrik,

Your notes are the perfect complement to your photograph!
This is a remarkable place!
For such a northerly location, where snowy mountains surround and icy waters sit on the doorstep, the town looks colourful and friendly. There must be great camaraderie between the inhabitants, living in such an isolated place.

Thank you for sharing this,
Bev :-)

ChrisJ (171220) 2017-08-09 4:14

Hello Fredrik,

I like the tightly clustered cottages in various colors. I only got as far north as Tromso, & thought about heading to Hammerfest. Instead I went back to Narvik & caught a train to Kiruna in Sweden. A fine areal view. The only polar bears I saw in Tromso were taxidermy versions. Nice sharpness and high pov too. Tfs

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2017-08-09 5:02

Hi Fredrik,
nice view of this colored, but cold, city. I like of the light capture and landscape mountain in BG. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas

jhm (211734) 2017-08-09 5:55

Hello Fredrik,

You chose a very nice angle with depth and perspective, also nice panorama view about the area.
But a lovely contrast picture.
Composition and presentation are superb.
Sharpness and clarity are very well made.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

worldcitizen (15956) 2017-08-09 20:15

Hello Fredrik,
It's so interesting to see this remote town. I've watched television programs about it, and it really is a fascinating place to live. Your wide POV is great. We can see so much of the town, and appreciate how tiny everything looks in this vast, Arctic landscape. I hope you didn't have any negative encounters with the local polar bear population. :-)

Energysavingelk (7816) 2017-08-10 10:55

Hej Fredrik!

By pure coincidence, I have read some stories about secret German Wehrmacht weather observing posts on Svalbard during WW II. Their staff was even obliged to walk their 50 m to toilet carrying a rifle and never alone. If not, they would come back with maximum speed and their trousers in their hands. This fits in exactly. But I would not like to be here in winter time...

Thanks for sharing, og mange hilsner fra Tyskland
Sven