| Jan Mayen |
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Map:
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| 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. |
| Geography and Environmental |
| Area Total: 377 sq km |
| Area Land: 377 sq km |
| Area Water: 0 sq km |
| Area Comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC |
| Coastline: 124.1 km |
| Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog |
| Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers |
| Elevation Extremes Lowest Point: Norwegian Sea 0 m |
| Elevation Extremes Highest Point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m |
| Natural Resources: none |
| Land Use Arable Land: 0% |
| Land Use Permanent Crops: 0% |
| Land Use Other: 100% (2005) |
| Irrigated Land: 0 sq km |
| Natural Hazards: dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 |
| Environment Current Issues: NA |
| Geography Note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass |
| Population |
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station |
| Legal System: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
| 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. |
| Energy |
| Communications |
| Radio Broadcast Stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (there is one radio and meteorological station) (1998) |
| Internet Service Providers-ISPs: 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) |
| Transportation |
| Airports: 1 (2006) |
| Disputes International: none |