Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen as the 2017 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

Not in this edition 2,000 in 2000

Introduction

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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

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

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Land useshare of 377 sq km

forest 0%other 100% (2011 est.)irrigated 0 sq km (2012)agricultural land: 0%; arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%

Area

377sq km

land: 377 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 206slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

124.1km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Highest point

2,277m

Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenbergmean elevation: NAelevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

Note

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

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 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

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

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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

Government

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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, where applicable, apply

Flag description

the flag of Norway is used

Economy

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources, although surrounding waters contain substantial fish stocks and potential untapped petroleum resources.

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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.