Help wanted ad o' the day: Polar bear spotter needed in Svalbard, Norway

Help wanted ad o' the day: Polar bear spotter needed in Svalbard, Norway

Polar bears outnumber humans on the outrageously northern island. (Located at 78 degrees north latitude.)



More than 2000 humans reside on Svalbard. It is the northernmost settlement of more than 100 humans, and most of them live there year-round. In fact, it is the northernmost year-round human settlement with a population greater than 10! That sounds dreary, but it is a relatively modern and comfy place, with hotels, schools, a hospital, a movie theater, a newspaper, a bank and a library.

And lots of bears.

And even tourists. I wanted to visit Svalbard when I lived in Norway. My girlfriend and I were going to go hiking there, but we never managed to fit it in our schedules.

To put Svalbard's location into perspective, Nome, Alaska is in comparison a tropical paradise at a mere 64 degrees north.