View source for Barentsburg

{{Short description |Russian settlement in Svalbard, Norway}}
{{Use Oxford spelling |date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates |date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Barentsburg
| settlement_type                 = [[Russia]]n coal mining settlement
| image_skyline                   = Barentsburg view.jpg
| imagesize                       = 300px
| image_caption                   = The town from above
| image_map                       = 
| mapsize                         = 300px
| map_caption                     = Heroic Soviet-style mural on the community centre building
| pushpin_map                     = Svalbard
| pushpin_label_position          = bottom
| pushpin_mapsize                 = 300
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in western Svalbard
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = Norway
| subdivision_type1               = [[Syssel]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Svalbard]]
| subdivision_type2               = Island
| subdivision_name2               = [[Spitsbergen]]
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| population_as_of                = 2025
| population_total                = 297<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Svalbard |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/befolkningen-pa-svalbard |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=SSB |language=en}}</ref>{{efn |name="pop" |The population figure includes [[Pyramiden]].}}
| population_blank1_title         = Ethnicities
| timezone                        = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset                      = +1
| timezone_DST                    = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = +2
| coordinates                     = {{coord|78|04|0|N|14|13|0|E|region:NO|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type                = [[Postal codes in Norway|Postal code]]
| postal_code                     = 9178<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.posten.no/en/sending/domestic/svalbard|title=Svalbard and Jan Mayen – pricing and customs rules|date=15 August 2019 |publisher=[[Posten Bring]]|access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>
}}

'''Barentsburg''' ({{langx|ru|Баренцбург}}) is the second-largest settlement in [[Svalbard]], [[Norway]], with about 300 inhabitants ({{As of|2025||bare=yes}}).{{efn |name="pop"}} A [[coal mining]] town, the settlement is almost entirely made up of Russian nationals.

==History==
{{further|History of Svalbard}}

Rijpsburg, a now abandoned [[Netherlands|Dutch]] settlement on [[Spitsbergen]] on [[Cape Boheman]] ([[Bohemanflya]]), at the north site of [[Nordfjorden (Svalbard)|Nordfjorden]] in the Isfjord, stood roughly diagonally opposite [[Longyearbyen]]. The [[Rotterdam]]-based {{langr |nl |Van der Eb & Dresselhuys Scheepvaartmaatschappij}} (a navigation company) built it in 1920, using prefabricated huts, for the mining of coal. Twelve [[Dutch people|Dutch]] staff and 52 [[Germans|German]] miners started mining coal here that year.

The Dutch Spitsbergen Company, founded in 1920, bought a mine in [[Grønfjorden|Green Harbour]] from the Russians and mined coal from 1921 to 1926. The company renamed its settlement ''{{langr |nl |Barentsburg}}'' after the Dutch explorer [[Willem Barentsz]]. In 1932 the company sold the mine, including its settlement {{langr |nl |Barentsburg}}, to the Soviet trust [[Arktikugol]].

===2006 fire===
On 17 October 2006, Norwegian inspectors detected a smouldering [[Coal seam fire|underground fire]] in Barentsburg, prompting fears that an open fire might break out,<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/01/europe/EU_GEN_Norway_Svalbard_Coal_Fire.php Norway Svalbard Coal Fire]. ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''. 1 November 2006.</ref> which would have forced the total evacuation of Barentsburg for an indefinite period of time, and would also have caused environmental problems of unknown magnitude for the entire archipelago. The fire was later contained.<ref>[http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1520002.ece Barentsburg: Kullbrann kan føre til evakuering] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629164319/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1520002.ece |date=June 29, 2011 }} [[Aftenposten]] 1 November 2006 {{in lang|no}}</ref> Coal mining resumed at the end of 2010.<ref>
{{Cite news
  | last = Staalesen
  | first = Atle
  | title = Russians restarted coal mining at Svalbard
  | publisher = Barents Observer
  | date = 2010-11-08
  | url = http://www.barentsobserver.com/en/sections/business/russians-restarted-coal-mining-svalbard
  | access-date = 2010-01-26}}
</ref>

===2020s===
In 2022, Russia announced new investment plans to support its presence in Barentsburg and [[Pyramiden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/12/17/climate-change-arctic-00071169 |title=A Battle for the Arctic Is Underway. And the U.S. Is Already Behind. |last=Rosen |first=Kenneth |access-date=2023-08-18|date=17 December 2022 |website=Politico }}</ref> Then, in 2023, amid continuing tensions around Russia's war against Ukraine, the Russian Consulate General and Arktikugol staged a [[Victory Day (May 9)|May 9 Day]] victory parade through Barentsburg consisting of 50 cars, snowmobiles, trucks and buses and also including a low-flying [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopter. While the [[Governor of Svalbard]], [[Lars Fause]], was reportedly invited to attend, he declined.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Nilsen |first=Thomas |date=11 May 2023 |title=Barentsburg: "Everyone was told to stop posting opinions about the war" |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/democracy-and-media/2023/05/barentsburg-everyone-was-told-stop-posting-opinions-about-war |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=The Barents Observer}}</ref> 
According to a report in ''[[the Economist]]'' in 2025, relations between Russian and other towns were better during the Cold War, with residents ending visits on national days.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A corner of NATO where Lenin presides |url=https://www.economist.com/interactive/europe/2025/08/11/a-corner-of-nato-where-lenin-presides |access-date=2025-08-21 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
{{blockquote |text=The Russian parades are more militaristic nowadays [...] and involve symbols of cultural difference such as a wooden Orthodox cross. A few Soviet flags have been painted on structures in Barentsburg. Russians can enter Svalbard, visa free, if they travel by boat from Murmansk. One pro-Putin bishop has paid repeated visits to be filmed beside Orthodox religious items.}}

==Status==
[[File:Consulate of Russia in Barentsburg.jpg|thumb|The Russian consulate in Barentsburg]]
Under the terms of the [[Svalbard Treaty]] of 1920, citizens of signatory countries have equal rights to exploit natural resources, and as a result Russia, along with [[Norway]] (via the [[Sveagruva]] mine and Mine 7), maintains mining operations on [[Svalbard]]. However, as Svalbard is under Norwegian sovereignty, the [[Russian government]] is represented in Barentsburg by a [[Diplomatic missions of Russia|consulate]].<ref name="CG" />

Consequently, the town has a [[Postal codes in Norway|Norwegian postcode]], 9178.<ref>[https://adressesok.posten.no/addresses/search?q=postnummer%3A9178 9178 BARENTSBURG SVALBARD], [[Posten Norge]]</ref> Similarly, it uses [[Telephone numbers in Norway|Norwegian telephone numbering]].<ref name="CG">[https://norway.mid.ru/en/embassy/generalnye_konsulstva/generalnoe_konsulstvo_v_barentsburge_shpitsbergen/ Consulate General in Barentsburg (Spitsbergen)]</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Barentsburg coalmining 1989.jpg|thumb|Barentsburg mining town in summer 1989]]
[[File:Barentsburg Kindergarten, Spitsbergen.jpg|thumb|Barentsburg Kindergarten, August 1989]]
Barentsburg started as a Dutch mining town in the 1920s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Umbreit|first=Andreas|title=Spitsbergen|publisher=Bradt Travel Guide|year=2009|edition=4|page=35|isbn=978-1-84162-240-8}}</ref> In 1932 the Dutch sold their concession to the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barr|first=Susan|title=Norway, a consistent polar nation?: analysis of an image seen through the history of the Norwegian Polar Institute|publisher=Kolofon|year=2003|page=174|isbn=978-82-300-0026-7}}</ref> Since 1932 the Russian state-owned Arktikugol (Russian for {{gloss |arctic coal}}) trust has been operating on Svalbard and the main economic activity in Barentsburg is [[coal mining]] by Arktikugol. The coal is usually exported to Northern European buyers. The town relies entirely on mainland Russia for food and coinage. There have been instances in which not enough food was sent, and aid packages were sent from Longyearbyen. Tourism is now{{when? |date=September 2025}} being developed, but does not yet{{as of? |date=September 2025}} generate enough income to revive the town.

Prior to 2022, the majority of workers and inhabitants were Russians and Ukrainians.<ref name="observer">{{Cite web |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2021/08/sharp-population-decline-barentsburg |title=Sharp population decline in Barentsburg |author=Thomas Nilsen |date=August 24, 2021}}</ref> After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union|breakup of the Soviet Union]], the economy of Barentsburg has been in steady decline, and population, which once numbered around a thousand, has decreased drastically.<ref name="observer"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.spitsbergen-svalbard.com/photos-panoramas-videos-and-webcams/spitsbergen-panoramas/barentsburg.html |title=Barentsburg: a Russian coal mining settlement in Spitsbergen}}</ref>

Amid the warming waters, Russia said in 2021 it intends to build a facility in Barentsburg to process fish for export.<ref name="SA-2021">{{cite journal |last1=Dickie |first1=Gloria |author-link1=Gloria Dickie |title=The World's Northernmost Town Is Changing Dramatically|format=Original title: "The Polar Crucible" |journal=Scientific American |date=1 June 2021 |volume=324 |issue=6 |pages=44–53 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0621-44 |pmid=39020622 |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-worlds-northernmost-town-is-changing-dramatically/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518153619/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-worlds-northernmost-town-is-changing-dramatically/ |access-date=20 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> 

==Transportation==
The distance from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg is about {{convert|55|km|sigfig=1}}, but there are no roads connecting the two settlements. Most contact between the two is by [[boat]], [[snowmobile]], and [[helicopter]]. There is [[Barentsburg Heliport|a heliport]] ([[ICAO airport code|ICAO code]] ENBA) with a road connection at [[Heerodden]] ({{coord|78.100809|14.196224}}), {{convert|4|km|sigfig=1}} north of Barentsburg. The port is located in the middle of Barentsburg. Tourists usually arrive via a 2-3-hour boat trip from Longyearbyen. The coal is freighted by ship.

==Climate==
Barentsburg features a [[tundra climate]] (''ETs'' under the [[Köppen climate classification]]), with short, dry, chilly summers and long, very cold, snowy winters, though winters there are noticeably warmer than winters in a number of locations with tundra climates. Because the town is located at a latitude approaching 80 degrees, only four months of the year have average temperatures above freezing, and in no month does the average monthly temperature exceed {{convert|10|C|F}}, meaning it is north of the [[tree line]]. Average low temperatures during the winter routinely drop below {{convert|-15|C}}. Barentsburg averages roughly {{convert|550|mm}} of precipitation, much of which falls as [[snow]]. The town typically experiences snowfall in every month of the year. 
{{Weather box
|location = Barentsburg (1991–2020, extremes 1932–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 6.8
|Feb record high C = 5.6
|Mar record high C = 4.1
|Apr record high C = 5.3
|May record high C = 9.9
|Jun record high C = 14.6
|Jul record high C = 20.3
|Aug record high C = 17.9
|Sep record high C = 12.1
|Oct record high C = 8.5
|Nov record high C = 6.8
|Dec record high C = 7.6
|year record high C = 20.3
|Jan high C = −7.7
|Feb high C = −8.2
|Mar high C = −8.6
|Apr high C = -5.9
|May high C = -0.7
|Jun high C = 4.6
|Jul high C = 8.7
|Aug high C = 7.5
|Sep high C = 3.5
|Oct high C = −1.8
|Nov high C = −4.0
|Dec high C = −6.1
|year high C = -1.6
|Jan mean C = −10.3
|Feb mean C = −11.0
|Mar mean C = −11.3
|Apr mean C = −8.4
|May mean C = -2.7
|Jun mean C = 2.8
|Jul mean C = 6.4
|Aug mean C = 5.5
|Sep mean C = 1.8
|Oct mean C = −3.7
|Nov mean C = −6.3
|Dec mean C = −8.6
|year mean C = -3.8
|Jan low C = −13.0
|Feb low C = −13.7
|Mar low C = −13.9
|Apr low C = −10.9
|May low C = -4.4
|Jun low C = 1.4
|Jul low C = 4.8
|Aug low C = 4.0
|Sep low C = 0.3
|Oct low C = −5.6
|Nov low C = −8.7
|Dec low C = −11.1
|year low C = -5.9
|Jan record low C = −37.1
|Feb record low C = −39.3
|Mar record low C = −39.8
|Apr record low C = −33.3
|May record low C = −22.5
|Jun record low C = −9.2
|Jul record low C = -1.0
|Aug record low C = -3.5
|Sep record low C = −12.2
|Oct record low C = −27.1
|Nov record low C = −29.3
|Dec record low C = −37.3
|year record low C = −39.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 61
|Feb precipitation mm = 47
|Mar precipitation mm = 58
|Apr precipitation mm = 36
|May precipitation mm = 31
|Jun precipitation mm = 20
|Jul precipitation mm = 29
|Aug precipitation mm = 40
|Sep precipitation mm = 55
|Oct precipitation mm = 59
|Nov precipitation mm = 67
|Dec precipitation mm = 62
|year precipitation mm = 565
|Jan rain days = 2
|Feb rain days = 1
|Mar rain days = 2
|Apr rain days = 1
|May rain days = 3
|Jun rain days = 10
|Jul rain days = 17
|Aug rain days = 16
|Sep rain days = 12
|Oct rain days = 4
|Nov rain days = 3
|Dec rain days = 2
|year rain days = 73
|Jan snow days = 24
|Feb snow days = 20
|Mar snow days = 22
|Apr snow days = 20
|May snow days = 20
|Jun snow days = 10
|Jul snow days = 1
|Aug snow days = 3
|Sep snow days = 14
|Oct snow days = 22
|Nov snow days = 23
|Dec snow days = 24
|year snow days = 203
|Jan humidity = 77
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 77
|Apr humidity = 77
|May humidity = 79
|Jun humidity = 81
|Jul humidity = 81
|Aug humidity = 82
|Sep humidity = 81
|Oct humidity = 77
|Nov humidity = 77
|Dec humidity = 77
|year humidity = 79
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name=pogoda>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/20107.htm
| title = Weather and Climate- The Climate of Barentsburg
| publisher = Weather and Climate (Погода и климат)
| language = ru
| access-date = 12 November 2021}}</ref>
|date=May 2015
}}

==Science and culture==
[[File:Barentsburg igreja ortodoxa.jpg|thumb|The old Barentsburg church]]
The [[Barentsburg Pomor Museum]] presents [[Pomors|Pomor]] culture, Arctic flora and fauna, and archaeological objects preserved in the [[permafrost]]. It is open when the daily, summer-only boat from Longyearbyen arrives, and by special arrangement. There is an athletic complex, including a swimming pool with heated seawater.

Every summer, several dozen geophysicists, geologists, archaeologists, biologists, glaciologists, geographers, and others from Russia and elsewhere work in the scientific research centre. There is also a year-round meteorological observatory and the northernmost cosmic rays station.

==Education==
Barentsburg has its own school serving the Russian community; in 2014 it had three teachers, with one for most subjects, one for music, and one for the English language. By 2014, its welfare funds had declined.<ref>{{cite web|author=Skinner, Toby|url=https://www.norwegian.com/magazine/features/2014/05/the-russians-on-svalbard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171029082111/https://www.norwegian.com/magazine/features/2014/05/the-russians-on-svalbard|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-10-29|title=The Russians on Svalbard|publisher=[[Norwegian Air Shuttle]] (inflight magazine)|date=May 2014}}</ref>

===Gallery===
<gallery widths="170px" heights="170px">
File:50 Barentsburg,Lenin Denkmal.JPG|Bust of Lenin (Inscription in the background — ''Communism is our goal'')
File:49 Barentsburg,Denkmal.JPG|Soviet stone stele (''Through miner's labor, peace is sown, In cosmic rockets, hushed and deep. With hands by toil and hardship known, You give the world its light and heat.'')
File:36 Barentsburg.JPG|[[Pomors]] 16th century hut
File:18 Barentsburg,Schule.JPG|School
File:22 Barentsburg,Hospital.JPG|Hospital
File:15 Barentsburg,Kulturhaus.JPG|Sports Center
File:Barentsburg, Svalbard 2022 (9).jpg|Hotel
File:32 Barentsburg,Tupolev A-3.JPG|Remains of [[Tupolev A-3 Aerosledge]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Pyramiden]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist |30em}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin |30em}}
*{{cite news |title=The big Chill |date=2004-09-30 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2004/09/30/the-big-chill |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-09-28 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*{{Wikivoyage inline}}
*[https://vimeo.com/83736303] Dream Town, Film Trailer
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070707101711/http://www.ssf.npolar.no/pages/baseBarentsburg.htm Barentsburg Research Base] Official site
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070108053954/http://pgi.kolasc.net.ru/CosmicRay/PicB.htm Barentsburg Cosmic Ray Station] from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20070112124658/http://pgi.kolasc.net.ru/ Polar Geophysical Institute]
*[http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~bluemt/Svalbard/Barentsburg/index_E.html Map and guide, with photos] in English [http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~bluemt/Svalbard/Barentsburg/index.html Japanese] version of site
*[http://www.galenfrysinger.com/barentsburg.htm  Barentsburg photos] from [http://www.galenfrysinger.com Galen R Frysinger site]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/timo/sets/502498/ Many photos of Barentsburg] on this [[flickr]] site
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061209213712/http://pictures.gjerdes.com/svalbard/barentsburg.html More photos of Barentsburg] from [https://web.archive.org/web/20061209115911/http://pictures.gjerdes.com/svalbard/ a Svalbard site]
*[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6204427.stm Story on Barentsburg] from the [[BBC]], December 25, 2006

{{coord|78|04|N|14|13|E|display=title}}
{{Svalbard topics}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Barentsburg| ]]
[[Category:Norway–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Populated places in Svalbard]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1920s]]
[[Category:1920s establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Norway–Russia relations]]
[[Category:Ethnic enclaves in Norway]]
[[Category:Company towns in Norway]]
[[Category:Pomors]]
[[Category:Russian diaspora in Norway]]
[[Category:Ukrainian diaspora in Europe]]