In early 1900 was Barentsburg a place for temporary accommodation for whalers and hunters. Today the main Russian settlement on Spitsbergen and centre of operation for the Trust Arcticugol mining company. Since 1989 also accessible for international tourists.
The mining is absolutely necessary for the settlement and important for Russia in an geopolitical sense. The company is digging out tons of coal for consumption by Russian industries and Barentburgs power plant. The coal company own everything and the only hotel has a view over Grønfjord. The facilities have a touch of another culture and give an idea of the difference of Russian and Norwegian settlement in Spitsbergen.The infrastructure in Barentsburg is low or in inferior standard. There is now neighbouring settlement and parts of the year there is non turist transportation at all, except for a long snowmobile ride from Longyearbyen. Visitors are surprised to find a school, sport center and a local brewery that belong to the mining company and worth a visit.
