Australia’s Lake Hillier is a vibrant shade of pink enticing adventurous travelers. But to this day there has been no solidified scientific explanation why its color is so intense and it remains a great mystery.
Read MoreA Snowy Sanctuary: Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard prizes itself on both a pristine white landscape as well as an inclusive community. Although photos may present the landscape as motionless, the island chain buzzes with many of nature’s more subtle miracles.
Situated 400 miles north of Norway’s mainland lies an icy archipelago by the name of Svalbard. The island chain stretches almost 25,000 square miles, with the largest island, Spitsbergen, comprising almost two-thirds of that total. The island chain’s unique geography allows it to add the caption “northernmost” to a seemingly limitless number of things, from the northernmost university to the northernmost supermarket and brewery. Classified as a desert due to its dry air and sparse precipitation, the archipelago stands as the ideal habitat for its roughly 3,000 polar bears. The polar bears seem to live peacefully alongside Svalbard’s residents, though they outnumber humans by about 500.
The archipelago’s history stretches back to 1194, when it was supposedly first discovered by Vikings. However, it was not until 400 years later in 1596 that the first set of official documentation was drafted by Dutch explorers. Over the next 100 years or so, hunters from across Europe took a stab at the islands; English and Dutch whalers filled the coasts, followed by a sea of French, Danish and Norwegians disputing whaling rights. Russian explorers made their stop in 1715, and American developer John Longyear constructed the archipelago’s first coal mine in 1906. This mine would ignite the coal mining sector of Svalbard, which supported most of the local economy for the remainder of the century.
Mineral-rich sites peppering the islands attracted throngs of American and European businesses alike, but all was settled come 1920. The long-standing question of the archipelago’s rule was decided following World War I in the Svalbard Treaty, which granted Norway sovereignty but required the archipelago’s demilitarization and gave economic freedom to any of the agreement’s nine signatories. Now, 46 countries have signed the Svalbard Treaty, which also makes it Norway’s responsibility to protect the ecological systems of the islands.
The archipelago’s largest settlement, Longyearbyen, is the primary stop for residents looking to settle down. Being a resident of Svalbard is a peculiar experience; because anyone can settle in Svalbard as long as they are housed and employed, about one-third of the residents are immigrants. This visa-free policy has created an interesting dynamic—a melting pot of diversity against a monochrome snowcapped background. Nonetheless, living in such a particular place invariably comes with its drawbacks; there are no hospitals to give birth in nor cemeteries due to the permafrost. Additionally, as of 2012, all members of the community must carry a gun outside of settlements in case of polar bear confrontations.
Although sporting incredibly low temperatures year-round with an average high of just over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, Svalbard has three main seasons. Each season has distinct qualities, with each showcasing equally fascinating displays of nature’s miracles. The dark season, or “Polar Night,” stretches from October to January and is when the islands are pitch-black for all 24 hours of the day. The northern lights are particularly brilliant during this time. This is followed by “Pastel Winter” from March to May, in which snow conditions are gentler, creating an ideal climate for outdoor activities. Finally, “Polar Summer” covers May through September, in which flocks of migrant birds arrive and the islands bloom with increasing Arctic activity.
Whether your priority is to scale icy snowcaps or to stare down a polar bear, a stop at Svalbard is a surefire path to awe and adventure.
Ella is an undergraduate student at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies. She wants to assist in the field of immigration law and hopes to utilize Spanish in her future projects. In her free time she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, and learning about cosmetics.
VIDEO: Indonesia's Mentawai Tribe
To give Joshua Cowan’s film even deeper meaning, it’s important to understand context. Mentawai is an archipelago found off the west coast of Sumatra (Indonesia) consisting of approximately 70 islands and islets. The history of the people is often debated, but as early as 1954, under Indonesia’s goal of national unity and cultural adaptation, the National Government began introducing civilization programs designed to integrate the tribal groups into the social and cultural mainstream of the country. This, for native Mentawai, meant the eradication of Arat Sabulungan — the animist belief system that links the supernatural powers of ancestral spirits to the ecology of the rainforest — ; the forced surrender, burning and destruction of possessions used to facilitate cultural or ritual behavior; and their Sikerei (shamans) being disrobed, beaten, and forced into slave labor and imprisonment.
Under Pancasila — the official, foundational philosophical theory of Indonesia — the Indonesian state should be based on the Five Principles: Indonesian nationalism; Internationalism, or Humanism; Consent, or Democracy; Social prosperity; and Belief in One God. Based on the Indonesian notion ‘belief in one God’, there are officially only five religions recognized: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Which, for the Mentawai Islands, resulted in an immediate influx of missionaries and an increase in violence and pressure on the people to adopt change. In the end many chose Christianity due to its flexible views on the possession and consumption of pigs, which play an integral role in Mentawai history and culture.
By the late 1980’s loggers had devastated the forests of Sipora, North and South Pagai. In 1980, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) published a report entitled ‘Saving Siberut’ which, along with the support of other organizations – primarily UNESCO and Survival International – and other additional international interest, helped persuade the Indonesian government to cancel logging concessions and declare the forests of Siberut a biosphere reserve. With this, the people in the Mentawai found that they were once again free to practice their native cultural activities – at least in areas away from the villages.
However, by this point, and as it remains today, the number of Indigenous people still actively practicing the cultural customs, rituals and ceremonies of Arat Sabulungan had already been limited to a very small population of clans primarily located around the Sarereiket and Sakuddei regions in the south of Siberut Island.
Raeann is an avid traveler, digital storyteller and guide writer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Comm & Media Studies from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Passionate about a/effective journalism and cultural exchange, she is an advocate of international solidarity and people's liberation. As the founder of ROAM + WRITE and EIC of Monarch Magazine, Raeann hopes to reshape the culture of travel and hospitality to be ethically sound and sustainable.
Isang Milyon: Save the Philippine Sea
It's been said the Philippines is worth dying for.
We believe the Philippines is worth diving for.
“As the world's second largest archipelago with over 7,100 islands, Filipinos depend on the sea for livelihood, food, tourism, economy, and ultimately, our lives. Environmental conservation shouldn't be limited to NGO workers and researchers-- it should be accessible, relatable, and part of our lifestyles.” This short film was shot in tandem with the work being done by Save Philippine Seas. “SPS aims to narrow the gap between scientists and the general public, the old and young, and the passionate and indifferent by mobilizing citizen-led initiatives that are empowering Filipinos towards collective action and behavior change.” -Save Philippine Seas