World Factbook
Jan Mayen
Introduction
Background
This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Beerenberg volcano, the northernmost active volcano on earth, resumed activity in 1970 and the most recent eruption occurred in 1985.
Geography
Location
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
Geographic coordinates
71 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references
Arctic Region
Area
total: 377 sq km
land: 377 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 206
Area - comparative
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
124.1 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
Terrain
volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
Elevation
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277
note: Beerenberg volcano has numerous peaks; the highest point on the volcano rim is named Haakon VII Toppen, after Norway's first king following the reestablishment of Norwegian independence in 1905
Natural resources
none
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards
dominated by the volcano Beerenberg volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985
Environment - current issues
pollutants transported from southerly latitudes by winds, ocean currents, and rivers accumulate in the food chains of native animals; climate change
Geography - note
barren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon "bowl") and the smaller Sor-Jan (the "handle"), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the "stem") with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon)
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants
note: military personnel operate the the weather and coastal services radio station
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen
etymology: named after Dutch Captain Jan Jacobszoon MAY, one of the first explorers to reach the island in 1614
Dependency status
territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service; in 2010, Norway designated the majority of Jan Mayen as a nature reserve
Legal system
the laws of Norway apply where applicable
Flag description
the flag of Norway is used
Economy
Economy - overview
Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources, although surrounding waters contain substantial fish stocks and potential untapped petroleum resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island.
Communications
Broadcast media
a coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transportation
Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 225
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
