By: Drishika Deka, The North-Eastern Chronicle
Visual by: Pallab Neog
We cannot imagine a day without the presence of the sun, which is the ultimate source of energy for the people of earth. The arrival of the night time after the sun sets and the arrival of the morning sky after the sun rises has been a common routine of the universe, isn’t it? However, in this world, there are many strange places after knowing about which, it would be difficult for us to believe that they really exist.
However, when we come face to face with the truth, it will not only surprise us but also bring us face to face with the real facts. Will you ever believe, if you are being told that there are some places present on this earth, which do receive any kind of sunset for a long period of time? Shocking, isn’t it? Well, let us discuss some places, present around the world, where darkness does not arrive for a long time.
Norway
Have you heard of the place Hammerfest? Well, it is known as one of the northernmost cities in the world. It is also known as one of the oldest places in Norway, having a population of approximately 7500 people. This place has been declared to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Norway is popular among the people for its beauty. The country comes within the Arctic Circle. Here, the sun does not set for 76 days continuously between the months of May and July. Surprisingly, during summer months, the people of this place experience up to 24 hours of sunlight above the Arctic Circle.
That is the reason why Norway is known as the land of midnight sun. Here, the sun does not set for several weeks, because during the summer months, the North Pole becomes angled toward the sun.
Kiruna
Kiruna is the northernmost city, present in Sweden, situated in the province of Lapland. Sweden has a population of about 19000. In this particular place, the sun does not set for about 100 days during the month of May to August. The city was originally built in the year 1980 in order to serve the Kiruna Mine.
From the end of May to the middle of July, the midnight sun is known to light up the night time in Northern Sweden, which provides the spectators more opportunities to go for sightseeing. In this place, there is darkness surrounding around the clock in the month of January.
However, the misconception that it is always dark is not true as daylight also embraces the Northern part of Sweden, but only for a limited period of time.
Iceland
Iceland is known for its beauty as it is a very beautiful country. It is known as Europe’s largest island just after Great Britain. It receives the light of the sun starting from the month of May to July when the sun is present above the horizon.
Here the visitors are mesmerized by the pretty and breathtaking Northern lights. It offers various activities like hiking, watching its wildlife, caving, cycling and other activities to its visitors. In Iceland, the summer appears, when the sun peaks and it leads to the longest day of the year.
It is known that the more the visitors travel the further of North, the more they will face the summer light of the sun. During the summer days, as there are the longest days, the people organize Midsummer festivals.
Alaska
In Alaska, the sun doesn’t set from the month of late May to the month of July. The country is known for its beauty and magnificence. Alaska receives more sunlight in the spring and the summer seasons than the other parts of the world.
In Barrow, which is the state’s northernmost place, the sun does not set for more than two and a half months, that is from the month of May till August. The Alaskans claim fairly that they live within the midnight sun. In the months of extreme winter, the country is surrounded by darkness.
The spectacular glaciers and snow covered mountains adds to its beauty. At the equator, the sun rises up from the horizon in a straight direction and sets straight down to it. Here, the sun travels in a slanting 360 degree circle in the sky.
Finland
The people of this place can encounter the sun for about 73 days, during the summers. During the summer days, 24 hours of sunlight is offered by nature to the people of Finland. However, during summer public spaces come to life in Finland. The summer in Finland is spent by the people outside their houses, enjoying the sweet season and all worries are saved for the times when the continuous series of nights will arrive.
Here, summer is a spectacular time of the year as the sun does not set at all from the month of May to the month of August. As the days are the longest during summer, the people of this place can enjoy themselves as it becomes possible to do all the same things that we can do during the day time.
