Articles | Volume 89, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-9-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-9-2021
Scientific article
 | 
20 May 2021
Scientific article |  | 20 May 2021

The Russian settlements on Spitsbergen – history, current socio-economic status and challenges for the future development

Barbara Schennerlein

Cited articles

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Short summary
Russia plays a little-known but significant role on Spitsbergen, which is still perceived as Norwegian. Interviews show that the changes in the social life of the last years are largely viewed as positive by the residents. The strong focus on tourism and science in parallel to preserve the rich history shows a way to establish modern Russian settlements. Related to its long experiences with the Spitsbergen Treaty, Russia can contribute as a mediator in terms of future changes on the archipelago.