Pray for Svalbard

Svalbard is a group of islands in the Arctic Ocean.
It is located midway between Norway and the North Pole.

It is made of three main islands:
Spitsbergen
Nordaustlandet
Edgeøya.

It also has a number of smaller islands:
Barents Island
Kvitøya
Prins
Karls
Forland
Kongsøya
Svenskøya
Wilhelmøya

The population is about 2,932
The administrative center is Longyearbyen.

Other settlements are:
Barentsburg (A Russian mining community)
Ny-Ålesund  (A research community)
Sveagruva   (A Swedish mining outpost)  

FACTS
Svalbard means 'Land with the cold edge'
'Sval' is a Norwegian name for 'Cool', and 'bard' is an old name for 'edge'.

Svalbard is the northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway.

Four main mammalian species are the Arctic Fox, reindeer, polar bears
and the Southern Vole.

Polar bears are the iconic symbol of Svalbard, and one of the main
tourist attractions.

The islands have 7 national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries and 6 nature reserves.

DEMOGRAPHICS
72%   Norwegian
16%   Russian/Ukrainian
12%   Other

HISTORY
Scandinavians discovered Svalbard around the 12th century.

During the 17th and 19th centuries the island were used as a fishing/whaling base
by both English, Danish, Dutch and French companies.

Several species of whales were hunted to near-extinction during this time.

During the late 17th century Russians used the island for hunting.

Coal mining began in the early 1900s, and several permanent communities were built.

By the 1890s, Svalbard had become a destination for Arctic tourism and exploration.

In 1920, Norway was granted full sovereignty of the islands.
Other countries were granted fishing, hunting and mineral resources rights.

CONDITIONS
The three main industries on Svalbard are coal mining, tourism and research.
Since the early 20th century, coal mining has been the dominant commercial activity.

There are only a few privately owned houses.
Almost all housing is owned by various employers and institutions
and rented to employees.

Because of this, it is nearly impossible to live on Svalbard
without working for an established institution.

Norway retains a restrictive fisheries policy in the zone
The claims are disputed by Russia.

Research centers around Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund.

Tourism is focused on the environment and centered around Longyearbyen.

Many cruise ships visit the island.
The Norwegian government has become concerned about the large numbers
of cruise-ship passengers that visit.

The government has recently passed legislation, restricting the size
of cruise ships that may visit.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Most of the population are Protestant.

For many church attendance is purely cultural.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that tourists and explorers be protected.

Pray for the protection of the miners.

Pray that companies treat their employees fairly

Pray that the environment be protected.

Pray that disputes with Russia be resolved peacefully and fairly.

Pray that the residents be exposed to the Gospel.

Pray that believers witness to their co workers and neighbors.

Pray that churches experience a revival.