Barentsburg is currently the settlement with the strongest population growth in Spitsbergen: in early 2013, the official number of inhabitants was 471 persons or 101 more than 2 years ago. Longyearbyen has, in comparison, seen a plus of 30 during the same period. The minimum was reached in Barentsburg in 2010 with 370 persons.
The annual coal production has changed little and is still near 120,000 tons, a fraction of the production of modern coal mines elsewhere. The seams are said to last for another 12-15 years. Beyond mining, future fields of economic growth are supposed to be tourism and research. There may also be a new Russian coal mine in Colesdalen, but a decision about this is not expected before 2015.
“Our destination: communism”. This old sign is only of doubtful nostalgic value. Barentsburg’s future is supposed to be rather capitalistic.
By the way, my new book is in print and it can now be ordered 🙂 it is a photo book with the title “Norwegens arktischer Norden (3): Die Bäreninsel und Jan Mayen”, with German text Click here for further details!
This and other publishing products of the Spitsbergen publishing house in the Spitsbergen-Shop.
Norwegens arktischer Norden (1): Spitzbergen
Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German. [shop url="https://shop.spitzbergen.de/en/polar-books/70-norwegens-arktischer-norden-1-aerial-arctic-9783937903262.html"] ← Back
Lofoten, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen from the air - Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German, but there is very little text, so I am sure that you will enjoy it regardless which languages you read (or not).
The companion book for the Svalbardhytter poster. The poster visualises the diversity of Spitsbergen‘s huts and their stories in a range of Arctic landscapes. The book tells the stories of the huts in three languages.
Comprehensive guidebook about Spitsbergen. Background (wildlife, plants, geology, history etc.), practical information including travelling seasons, how to travel, description of settlements, routes and regions.
Join an exciting journey with dog, skis and tent through the wintery wastes of East Greenland! We were five guys and a dog when we started in Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost one of two settlements on Greenland’s east coast.
12 postcards which come in a beautifully designed tray. Beautiful images from South Georgia across Antarctica from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and up to Macquarie Island and Campbell Island.