diff --git a/svalbard/index.md b/svalbard/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4a877e --- /dev/null +++ b/svalbard/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ +--- +title: Svalbard +description: THe northernmost territory in the world +layout: default +icon: ac_unit +--- + +
+ +# Svalbard, Norway +## Background +* Northernmost territory in the world +* 60% glaciers +* 40% tundra +* 5 main islands (largest is Spitzbergen) +* Population of 2700 +* More snowmobiles than people + +## Opportunities +* Coal mining + * 300 jobs in coal mines + * Backbone of economy +* Energy devlopment + * Located near Mid-Atlantic Ridge - thin & hot rocks + * Potential for geothermal energy to replace polluting coal power station + * Or replace water in power station with CO2 +* Fishing + * Barents Sea (South of Svalbard) is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world + * 150 species of fish - conservation is vital +* Tourism + * 70,000 people visited Longyearbyen in 2011 + * Port was expanded to cope with tourist numbers + * 300 jobs in tourism + * Northen lights, natural environment and adventures attract tourists + +## Challenges +* Extreme temperatures + * Sometimes below -30°C + * But wear warm clothes +* Construction + * Permafrost has to be protected from melting before foundations can be dug + * Difficult to build in the cold and the long dark periods - so most work is done in the summer + * However, road maintenance is relatively easy +* Services + * Pipes and cables must be kept off the ground, to ensure they don't freeze +* Accessibility + * Limited transport + * Islands can only be accessed by plane or ship + * Only 50 km of roads in Longyearbyen + * But there is an international airport + * And snowmobiles can be used to travel around + +
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