Jan Mayen
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues
Introduction	Back To Top
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 Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth.
Geography	Back To Top
Land boundaries: 0 km Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Map references: Arctic Region Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W Natural resources: none Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Geography - note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass Area: total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Coastline: 124.1 km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment - current issues: NA 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 Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
People	Back To Top
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station
Government	Back To Top
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 Country name (Goverment): conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen
Economy	Back To Top
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.
Communications	Back To Top
Radio broadcast stations: NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000)
Transportation	Back To Top
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports: 1 (2007)
Military	Back To Top
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues	Back To Top
Disputes - international: none

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