 The Bradt Travel guide is packed with everything you need to know, see and do in Spitsbergen: Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Jan Mayen.
You can order yours at
www.bradt-travelguides.com
or by calling 01753 893444
RRP £13.95
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Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Holidays
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| About Spitsbergen (Svalbard) |
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| Wildlife and Nature |
There are only three species of large mammal on Svalbard – the polar bear, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic Fox. The chance of a sighting of any of these species is good but can never be guaranteed. However, marine species are more plentiful and include walrus, ring and bearded seal, white-nose dolphin, narwhal and orca, to name a few. Over 100 types of birds and surprisingly for this high latitude, a much greater number of plants and lichens thrive here.
Luckily for Svalbard’s nature, over 60% of the archipelago has been designated ‘protected’ by one organisation or another, hence the strict guidelines for tourism. |
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| The Climate |
| Fortunately, with the influence of the Gulf Stream keeping the west coast ice free during the summer months, even this far north shipping operates regularly, including that of the tourist variety. However, year round pack ice is never far from the north coast and ice sheets cover around 60% of the land area. Although the average summer temperature is around 6°C (xx°F), it can be a low as freezing bringing snow flurries, or as high as 20°C (xxF). Svalbard can be described as having an ‘Arctic desert’ climate - very little rain is experienced and although the summer days are brisk, they are often blessed with glorious sunshine. Being this far north, Svalbard enjoys the midnight sun from mid-April to mid-August, the long days allowing more time to enjoy its rugged natural beauty. |
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| Plenty to see and do |
| For first time visitors to Svalbard, using Longyearbyen as a base from which to explore is a popular option – its museum and gallery on the list of places to visit. There are numerous optional excursions which will give a wonderful overview of this remarkable destination. For lovers of nature and the great outdoors, hiking and trekking are popular, take a glacier walk, have an Arctic barbeque, go kayaking, exploring by boat on the look out for polar bears, even try diving. It is also possible to visit an operational mine – so it’s not ‘outdoors’ but fascinating none the less! |
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| © Simon Fraser |
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Iceland
Iceland & Greenland 
