Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen as the 2006 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 30 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

Position71 00 N, 8 00 W

Area377 sq km

LocationNorthern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland

Populationas each edition published it

2,006 people 2,000 in 2000

Introduction

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Background

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.

Geography

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland

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Land useshare of 377 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (2005)arable land 0% in all · irrigated 0 sq km

Area

377sq km

land: 377 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

124.1km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 4 nmcontiguous zone: 10 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Highest point

2,277m

Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberglowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

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

Climate

arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Terrain

volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers

Natural resources

none

Natural hazards

dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970

Environment - current issues

Geography - note

barren volcanic island with some moss and grass

People

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Population

no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2006 est.)

Government

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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

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources.

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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.