The world's most peculiar ice and snow town where birth and death are prohibited

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Located within the Arctic Circle, the Svalbard archipelago is the northernmost part of Norwegian territory, situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole. This far-northern land is one of the few places in the world that few people visit. About 65% of the region is protected as nature parks to preserve its unique flora and fauna, and Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in the archipelago, is the only town in the world where it is forbidden for life to begin or end.

The Svalbard archipelago covers a total area of 61,000 square kilometers, about 1 to 2 times the size of Taiwan. In summer, there are 99 to 141 days of polar day, while in winter, there are 84 to 128 days of polar night. The area has a significant population of polar bears, so residents carry guns when going out to protect themselves in case of an attack.

60% of Svalbard’s territory is covered by glaciers, another 30% is barren land, and the remaining 10% is vegetated. The islands are rich in mineral resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, apatite, and iron. The coast often sees gatherings of walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, whales, and other animals, making the local flora and fauna quite unique.

Local laws in Longyearbyen require all pregnant women to give birth elsewhere. Even patients on the verge of death or those who suffer accidental injuries and are about to die must leave. The local cemetery is very small and contains only those buried 70 years ago. The town hospital has fewer than 10 beds available.