Geographical travel: this month we bring you the latest travel news and talk to Carol Coppinger of Remote Africa Safaris

Geographical, Dec, 2004

SVALBARD, NORWAY

A barren, icy wilderness is illuminated by the thin, yellow Arctic light as the sun hovers just above the horizon. The Svalbard Archipelago, which lies 640 kilometres from the coast of Norway, enjoys 24-hour sunlight between April and August. But during September the days shorten dramatically, and in late October the islands' 3,000 residents bid farewell to the sun until the following February.

At first glance, Svalbard is a harsh and unwelcoming place. But in recent years, visitors have flocked to experience one of the most spectacular places on Earth, where icebergs and floes populate aquamarine seas, and mountains, icy plains and glaciers create vistas of incomparable beauty. The islands are home to a surprising variety of wildlife: polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes and more than 100 species of bird, not to mention the seals, walruses and whales that live in the icy waters. And in the summer, when some of the ice melts, the valleys are transformed by a carpet of wildflowers and grasses.

Svalbard offers a range of guided activities for visitors, from hiking and climbing through kayaking and cruising to glacier walking, caving and even camping. If you're looking for real adventure, you may want to set off into the wilderness on your own. Just make sure you're well armed in case of a chance encounter With a hungry polar bear.