Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Time Zone |
Europe/Guernsey |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+1 |
Springfield, the capital of the U.S. state of Illinois, is located in the center of the state and is a city that carries a deep historical heritage. As the political starting point of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, it is the place where he lived, practiced and finally rested, and attractions such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Lincoln Cemetery draw visitors from around the globe. As the seat of state government, Springfield has government services as its core economic pillar, while healthcare, agriculture and insurance also play an important role. The city retains its 19th-century architecture, with landmarks such as the state capitol building highlighting its stately history, and events such as the annual Lincoln Festival continue to honor the great man, making it a fascinating blend of historical memory and modern development.
The islands of Svalbard and Jan Mayenhem are not independent countries, but are Arctic archipelagic administrations under Norwegian jurisdiction. Located between latitudes 74° and 81° N, Svalbard, with its capital city of Longyearbyen, has a unique international treaty status - the 1920 Treaty of Svalbard grants equal commercial rights to the citizens of the signatory countries, but Norway maintains sovereignty. With 60% of the archipelago covered by glaciers, the archipelago is a major global Arctic research center, with a Chinese Yellow River Station. The population is about 2,700, and polar bears outnumber the residents, who are required to carry weapons for protection.
Jan Mayen is a volcanic island between the Norwegian mainland and Svalbard, with an area of 377 square kilometers and no permanent population. The island's volcano, Berenberg, is active, and the Norwegian military operates a weather station and navigation facility there. Together with Svalbard, the island forms Norway's strategic Arctic pivot, and has both scientific and military value.
Svalbard is known as the "Kingdom of Arctic Wildlife", with polar foxes, reindeer and walruses to be spotted during the summer polar days. The city of Longyearbyen prohibits death and procreation (critical cases must leave the island), and has a "Doomsday Seed Bank" to preserve the genes of global crops. Visitors can experience dog sledding and aurora observation, but must adhere to strict environmental regulations.