Life in one of the most remote parts of the world is just so, so special.
Deep inside the Arctic Circle, between towering glaciers and under vast expanses of polar ice, there is incredible warmth for Swedish photographer and content creator Cecilia Blomdahl.
Excluded from the mainland of Norway, the archipelago of Svalbard lies roughly halfway between Norway's northern coastline and the North Pole, hosting the world's northernmost permanent settlements. Blomdahl lives in Longyearbyen, the largest city in Svalbard, within a community of about 2,500 inhabitants. Here, brilliant cabins contrast with enormous ice caps, while stunning celestial displays light up the sky.
Since she moved to Svalbard in 2015, Blomdahl has been sharing her unusual life with millions of curious social media followers. She just published a photo book called "Life on Svalbard" in which she reflects on the serenity of her surroundings, shimmering in hues of blue:
Living here allows you to fully participate in this serene and peaceful setting," Blomdahl, a former hospitality professional who transitioned to content creator, told on media.
"To be as close to nature every day is just mesmerizing."
The complications of a picturesque life
Yet, for all its breathtaking scenery, Svalbard is more than a pretty face. Riches of fish, gas, and minerals have long caused economic and diplomatic tensions, and now it's a burgeoning hub for international business and scientific inquiry. For tourists, a dream destination.
But living in Svalbard is not all strawberries and cream, as Blomdahl well knows. With temperatures sometimes plummeting below minus 30 degrees Celsius and polar bears and arctic foxes occasionally straying onto the streets, it takes a particular sort of person to leave the snugness of the mainland behind for such a distant and sometimes unforgiving climate.
"Every day is an adventure. It could be exhilarating, chaotic, or just an ordinary day," Blomdahl said. "But even a typical day here is extraordinary; it could mean sipping coffee under the Northern Lights, basking in the midnight sun, or spotting reindeer."
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