2013 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2013 Archive (HTML)
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, the northernmost active volcano on earth, resumed activity in 1970 and the most recent eruption occurred in 1985.
Geography
Area
- 377 sq km 377 sq km 0 sq km
- total
- 377 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Climate
arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
Coastline
124.1 km
Elevation extremes
- Norwegian Sea 0 m Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277 m 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
- highest point
- Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277 m
- lowest point
- Norwegian Sea 0 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
71 00 N, 8 00 W
Geography - note
barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2011)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- 0% 0% 100% (2011)
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (2011)
- permanent crops
- 0%
Location
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
- 4 nm 10 nm 200 nm 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
Natural hazards
- dominated by the volcano Beerenberg Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985
- volcanism
- Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985
Natural resources
none
Terrain
volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station
Government
Country name
- none 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
Flag description
the flag of Norway is used
Legal system
the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
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.
Communications
Broadcast media
a coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994 (2008)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 1 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 1 (2013)
- total
- 1
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none