Walking through the Norwegian 

Longyearbyen,

 I could not help comparing it with other remote northern cities that I have visited many times. In this article, I will try to show you how the Norwegians live in the northernmost settlement of the world...

This bright picture was taken at 2 a.m. As you can see, it was a polar day in 

Svalbard

:

Norwegian house colors look very cool. It seems to be bright but at the same time very organic:

Such geometry!

The yards. The first thing that catches your eye are the snowmobiles. They are left for the summer just like that (well, perhaps, some of them are covered):

There are dozens of different types of snowmobiles - with carriages, open, closed, etc.. Snowmobiles are the main means of transport in the winter:

Nobody worries about safety, theft is absent in 

Longyearbyen,

 probably because it is impossible to steal something and it go unnoticed:

This snowmobile, apparently, was left by the wayside during winter, and it stood here the whole summer:

Cotton grass is everywhere - this is the only flower on the island:

This area is not for tourists. Here you can see bridges across the city communications. Note the neat walkway:

A few examples of buildings in Norway. Besides small single-family houses, there are two-story long buildings:

A lot of houses features this typical design: 

This is a playground. Swing sets seem to be assembled from materials at hand:

Almost every family has its own street entrance and veranda:

Different belongings and small things, including skis and bikes, are usually stored at the entrance:

There are six taxis in town. They often can be seen on the streets - locals don't have cars and it's impossible to ride a snowmobile in summer:

Here you can see more houses. Each courtyard has a garbage container (in the picture it is dark green behind the brown booth). Recycling bins are also used here:  

Moreover, Longyearbyen has its own recycling plant. Everything collected in the town is immediately recycled:

Cans in a container reminded me of the local houses (not because of their form, of course but the coloring):

Here is the Spitsbergen "rainbow":

And here is the University:

This is the center of attraction for the local youth - a ramp:

The town has two kindergartens. These are the only places where it is forbidden to take pictures, seen by the signs on the fence. I made a general plan of the building without people:

Also it's forbidden to walk the dogs near the kindergarten:

There is even a limousine in Longyearbyen. I do not know who has such a need, but nevertheless:

There are two gas stations in the town:

Cars with flashing lights belong to the airport. In the winter there is a polar night and it's impossible to drive without additional lights:

Here is a local. And there is the gun wrapped in the blue cloth (above the rucksack). Almost everyone has guns as a means of protection from polar bears. Many people go with them along the street. There is also a gun rental store for tourists:

I hesitated to go ahead and take pictures but this is the mayor of Longyearbyen:

I came across a reindeer:

I went to a local store to see the range of products and prices. Yogurts cost 18-34 kroner:

Ten eggs cost 53 kroner:

Apples cost from 26 to 40 kroner for kilo, pears are 43:

Bread cost 32-48 kroner:

You can buy a kilo of lemons for 50 kroner:

Sweets & Snacks cost 8-48 kroner:

The capital of Svalbard houses the "Russian House" - the hostel where we settled. This is the only building in the town which is not painted in the original coloring. However, everything inside is very good: large living room, kitchen and cozy rooms:

In the next article we will go to Barentsburg and see how the Russians settled on the island.