31.08.2026 07:51
Turkish citizens have gained the opportunity to own property and reside in the Svalbard archipelago, belonging to Norway, located approximately one thousand kilometers from the North Pole. Life on the islands, where Turkish companies can conduct commercial activities and students can receive education, is quite challenging. In the region, where temperatures drop to minus 50 degrees Celsius, people do not leave the settlement area unarmed due to polar bears.
A new era has begun for Türkiye in the Svalbard archipelago, which belongs to Norway. Following the agreement ratified by the Turkish Grand National Assembly last year regarding the archipelago, located approximately one thousand kilometers from the North Pole, Turkish citizens have been granted the right to acquire property and reside in the region.
With the agreement, Türkiye's scientific activities in the region have also accelerated. While TÜBİTAK opened a Polar Research Center, Turkish scientists have begun their work in Svalbard.
TURKISH COMPANIES WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO OPERATE
In the new era, there are opportunities not only for scientific studies but also for economic activities. Turkish companies will be able to operate and acquire property in Svalbard in the fields of industry, fishing, and trade.
Turkish students will also be able to benefit from the opportunity to receive education at the University Centre in Svalbard.
In addition to the Turkish scientific delegation, the first person to visit the archipelago at the government level was Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
TEMPERATURE DROPS TO MINUS 50 DEGREES
Alongside the opportunities Svalbard offers, living conditions in the region are quite challenging. In the archipelago, air temperature can drop to 50 degrees below zero in some periods.
The region's geographical conditions also affect health services. Due to limited hospital facilities, pregnant women are reported to travel to Ålesund and Oslo for childbirth.
Terminally ill patients are also sent to the mainland. The remains of people who unexpectedly die in Svalbard are taken to the mainland for burial.
NO ONE GOES OUT UNARMED DUE TO POLAR BEARS
Svalbard, which was not under the sovereignty of any country until the 20th century, came under Norwegian sovereignty after the First World War.
Another striking feature of the archipelago is polar bears. It is stated that polar bears outnumber humans in the region and that attacks occur from time to time.
For this reason, it is necessary to carry a weapon when leaving residential areas. However, strict restrictions are also applied on killing polar bears, and killing them contrary to the rules can result in heavy fines and prison sentences.