Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the seat of local government and Norway’s main administrative centre on Svalbard. The small colourful community of approx. 1800 inhabitants has developed from being a typical mining company town into a modern community with different kinds of business and industry and with a wide range of cultural activities and opportunities. In general, the population of Longyearbyen is rather young, families with many small children. Leisure and cultural activities abound. Since there are no roads between the settlement areas on Svalbard, snowmobiles and boats are a common means of transportation. Locals are very fond of outdoor activities, as well as taking weekend trips to cabins and huts. The introduction of a local government on Svalbard has been a matter of current interest for a long time. Effective 2002, an extended form of local democracy was introduced in Longyearbyen based on a self-constructed model adjusted to the local conditions. Simultaneously, the responsibility for social services and government administration was transferred from the Norwegian government to the newly established politically elected body, Longyearbyen Community council. |
