Svalbard: The World's Last Village Where Dying is Forbidden and Night Never Ends

Lifestyle
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News18•21-01-2026, 16:47
Svalbard: The World's Last Village Where Dying is Forbidden and Night Never Ends
- •Svalbard, near Norway, is a unique Arctic archipelago known as the 'world's last village' where dying is prohibited due to permafrost preventing decomposition.
- •Seriously ill or elderly residents are compulsorily sent to Norway, as funerals are banned to prevent health issues from undecomposed bodies.
- •It is the world's only visa-free zone, allowing anyone to live and work if self-sufficient, attracting 2500-3000 residents.
- •Cats are banned to protect Arctic birds, while residents must carry guns outside town due to a large polar bear population.
- •The region experiences months of polar night and continuous daylight, and hosts the 'Doomsday Vault' for global seed preservation.
Why It Matters: Svalbard is a unique Arctic settlement with strict rules against dying, a visa-free policy, and extreme natural cycles.
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