Longyearbyen - Northernmost town

Longyearbyen is the northernmost settlement with greater than 1,000 residents. (The town can be seen to the right) The town is known primarily as a coal mining town, having been established by the Artic Coal Company. Coal was moved from the mines to the port via aerial tramway. Behind in this picture is Mine 2b. It ceased operations in 1969 and is now a heritage site.

The town was almost destroyed in WWI by the German Navy (Kriegsmarine).