Longyearbyen is named after the American John M. Longyear who started mining for Coal here in 1906. It has about 1800 inhabitance, 1100 snow scooters, and 600 other motor vehicles. It is spring and meting time at Svalbard in early June, the temperature is just above freezing, and there is always a chilly wind, so bring warm clothes. This is from downtown Longyearbyen on a rather gray afternoon. But the weather can change fast here so you can get bright moments like this a bit later.

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