Ten fun facts about Longyearbyen

Fact 1
The settlement of Longyearbyen has less than 3,000 registered citizens.

Fact 2
In 2013, scientists fished out a sensor they had placed to model the rate of coastal erosion off the coast of Longyearbyen and have gathered that the permafrost is beginning to melt.

Fact 3
Although the alcohol and cigarettes don't have the high taxes the rest of Norway has, in the city a liter carton of milk can cost the equivalence of $7.

Fact 4
In 2008, there were more snowmobiles registered at 2,672 than there were cars at 1,481.

Fact 5
Many of the buildings in the city are built on stilts due to the permafrost.

Fact 6
Though the average high temperatures during the summer season are between 39 and 43 degrees, Longyearbyen is one of the warmer, wetter parts of the Svalbard archipelago.

Fact 7
Located on the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen is one of the world's northernmost towns.

Fact 8
Longyearbyen experiences polar night from October 27 through February 14. This is when the night lasts for more than 24 hours.

Fact 9
The city also experiences midnight sun from April 19 to August 23, which is a phenomenon where the sun is out at midnight.

Fact 10
Because the Arctic Coal Company founded the town, the city was named after American John Munro Longyear.

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