Jan Mayen (2007) | Jan Mayen (2003) | |
Airports | 1 (2007) | 1 (2002) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) |
Area | total: 377 sq km
land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 373 sq km
land: 373 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC | slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC |
Background | This desolate, artic, 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 Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth. | This desolate, 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 Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth. |
Climate | arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog | arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog |
Coastline | 124.1 km | 124.1 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen |
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 | 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 |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. | Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located on the island. |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m |
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Norway is used | the flag of Norway is used |
Geographic coordinates | 71 00 N, 8 00 W | 71 00 N, 8 00 W |
Geography - note | barren volcanic island with some moss and grass | barren volcanic island with some moss and grass |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | - | 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
Legal system | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
Location | Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland | Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland |
Map references | Arctic Region | Arctic Region |
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 |
contiguous zone: 10 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 4 NM |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Norway | defense is the responsibility of Norway |
Natural hazards | dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 | dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 |
Natural resources | none | none |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2003 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Radio broadcast stations | AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (there is one radio and meteorological station) (1998) | AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) |
Terrain | volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers | volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers |
Waterways | - | none |