In the Norwegian city of Tromsø, the sun does not set for weeks at a time each summer, according to a report by adevarul.ro. The city sits roughly 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, on Norway's northern coast.
From around May 20 to July 22, Tromsø experiences the midnight sun, one of the most striking natural phenomena in the region. During this period the sun never drops below the horizon, meaning daylight continues around the clock. Even at midnight or 1 a.m., it can still be light enough outside for outdoor activities.
Life under constant daylight
Rather than disappearing, the sun dips toward the horizon before changing direction and climbing back into the sky. Locals have built the phenomenon into everyday life, with residents seen hiking, kayaking and boating through the night during the summer weeks.
The effect is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer months, the pole leans toward the sun, and in areas beyond the Arctic Circle this keeps the sun above the horizon for extended stretches. The farther north a location is, the longer the sun stays up. On the Svalbard archipelago, for example, the sun does not set from around April 20 to August 22.
Darkness in winter
Tromsø's polar night runs from around November 28 to January 14, when the sun does not rise above the horizon at all. Even so, the city does not sit in total darkness for the whole day. Around midday, a blue, twilight-like light appears in the sky, creating a striking landscape. Tromsö is also known as one of the most popular destinations for tourists hoping to see the northern lights.
The 'Paris of the North'
Tromsø's appeal goes beyond its natural light cycles. The city has a long history and, in the 19th century, earned the nickname "Paris of the North" after travelers from southern Europe were struck by the education, culture and elegance of its residents.
Tromsø is built on an island and is linked to the mainland and neighboring islands by bridges and an underground tunnel. Its center holds one of the largest concentrations of old wooden houses in northern Norway, with the oldest dating back to 1789. The city is also home to a cathedral built in 1861, the only wooden cathedral in Norway, as well as the world's northernmost university, northernmost botanical garden and northernmost planetarium.
A base for polar explorers
Tromsø has also played a significant role in the history of Arctic exploration. The city served as a starting point for numerous polar expeditions, with explorers including Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen assembling their crews there before heading north.
