A Snapshot of Working in the Arctic

Scientist shares his experience of working in the Svalbard islands.

ByABC News
May 12, 2008, 6:29 AM

NY-ÅLESUND, Norway, May 12, 2008 — -- Research can try your patience. It can be frustrating, tedious, demanding, exhausting and occasionally even boring.

Some scientists, engulfed in their specialized interests, can be introverted and difficult to befriend.

In the tiny village of Ny-Ålesund, the strain and anxiety of performing and maintaining world-class research is magically transformed into enjoyment, mutual stimulation, multicultural experiences and glee.

Ny-Ålesund is today a place of creativity and scientific excellence. People go there to do research and usually leave with new friendships that last for life. To understand how this remote location can have such extraordinary qualities we must look into its history and remarkable heritage.

The island group of Svalbard has a unique status under the Svalbard Treaty.

Svalbard was discovered by the Dutch navigator and explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596. Since the 17th century, people from many countries have been drawn to Svalbard for whaling, fishing, mining, research and tourism.

For a long time, they went about their business in a land that did not belong to any particular country. Svalbard was an international free-for-all: There were no rules, no regulations, no tribunals to solve conflicts.

In the early 20th century, the mining industry called for new rules. The Svalbard Treaty was signed in Paris on Feb. 9, 1920.

The treaty provides for full and undivided Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard, while at the same time providing for certain rights for the other signatories.

Citizens and companies from all treaty nations enjoy the same right of access to and residence in Svalbard. Right to fish, hunt or undertake any kind of maritime, industrial, mining or trade activity is granted to them all on equal terms.

All activity is subject to the legislation adopted by Norwegian authorities, but there may be no preferential treatment on the basis of nationality.

At 78° 55´ N, 11° 56´ E on the west coast of Spitsbergen island in the Svalbard archipelago, Ny-Ålesund is amongst the very northernmost communities in the world.