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Saltstraumen

Right outside of Bodø, just north of the Arctic Circle, you can experience Saltstraumen, a unique and amazing natural attraction. Saltstraumen is the world´s strongest maelstrom and is a spectacular and somewhat intimidating phenomenon to behold!
When visiting Saltstraumen you can refer to a specific current table to find out when the current is at its strongest. Like all tidal currents, Saltstraumen is strongest just after the new and full moon. There are several ways of experiencing Saltstraumen either from land, from the bridge Saltstraumbrua or the most intense way; from a RIB-boat on the water.
The area in and around Saltstraumen offers an abundance of animal and sea life. The current is extremely abundant in fish and seabirds flock to the area because of this. The area is also naturally extremely popular among sports fishermen and divers.
Stone Age settlements have also been found on both banks of the Saltstraumen, as well as cultural monuments from the Iron Age. These early human settlements were probably set up here because of the abundant marine biodiversity associated with the tidal current.
You may perhaps know that the Norwegian broadcaster NRK is known for making so-called slow-tv. Because of the fascinating natural phenomenon that Saltstraumen is, they made a 12-hour long live show about Saltstraumen.

Facts about Saltstraumen

  • Saltstraumen is the worlds strongest tidal current
  • 400 million cubic meters of water pass through the strait every 6 hours
  • Stone Age settlements have been found on both sides of the strait
  • The remains of a 10,000-year-old hunter settlement in the area is the oldest known traces of human settlement in Bodø, as well as one of the oldest archaeological discoveries in Norway
  • The height difference between the sea level and the fjord which the water passes in and out of can be up to 1 meter
  • The largest documented coalfish caught by rod in Saltstraumen was 22.7 kilograms (50 lb)

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Life in the arctic

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

Norway’s Arctic Climate

Norway’s Arctic is one of the most astounding places on the planet. From the vast untouched snowy landscape, to the breathtaking Aurora Borealis, to the unique wildlife, the Arctic is truly something incredible. Unfortunately, climate change is having a devastating impact on Arctic regions worldwide. If change doesn’t occur rapidly to repair the damage that has already been done, the results will be devastating for Arctic regions as well as the rest of the world.

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It should come as no surprise that the Arctic region is one of the toughest places on earth for wildlife to live. Humans have been able to adapt fairly well to living in this part of the world due to the ability to wear clothing and reside in heated structures throughout the majority of the winter. However, for the animals that are forced to stay outside and venture through the Norwegian fjords and other areas of the Arctic, the climate is much more inhospitable.

Mining community of Longyearbyen, Svalbard - Norway

The Arctic Circle

Sitting at Earth’s most northerly latitudes, you can think of the Arctic as the planet’s hat. The main focus of this area is, of course, the North Pole, however there is so much more to it than that. Surrounding the North Pole is the Arctic Circle which stretches out into different countries, forming a line around the top of the Earth. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating part of the world.

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When you book a trip to somewhere adventurous like the Arctic, you want to make sure that every second of the journey is packed with as much excitement as possible. But in order to do this, you need to know a variety of things about your destination such as where to sleep, what to do, and what to eat while you are there.