Jan Mayen
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 resumed activity in 1970
the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth.
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
Europe
Area
total: 377 sq km
country comparison to the world: 204 land:377 sq km
water:0 sq km
Area – comparative
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
124.1 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 4 nm
contiguous zone:10 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
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 extremes
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point:Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277 m
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
arable land: 0%
permanent crops:0%
other:100% (2005)
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Natural hazards
dominated by the volcano Beerenberg
volcanism:Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) is Norway’s only active volcano
volcanic activity resumed in 1970
the most recent eruption occurred in 1985
Environment – current issues
NA
Geography – note
barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants
note:personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Jan Mayen
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
Legal system
the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
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.
Transportation
Airports
1 (2010)
country comparison to the world:222
Airports – with unpaved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)
Ports and terminals
none
offshore anchorage only
Military
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues
Disputes – international
none