Broadcast media [time series]

a coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994 (2008)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Area [time series]

total: 377 sq km | land: 377 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 205

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Coastline [time series]

124.1 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m | highest point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277 m | 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

Environment - current issues [time series]

NA

Geographic coordinates [time series]

71 00 N, 8 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

barren volcanic island with some moss and grass

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2011)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 0% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 0% | other: 100% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Arctic Region

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

dominated by the volcano Beerenberg | 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 [time series]

none

Terrain [time series]

volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Jan Mayen

Dependency status [time series]

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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

the flag of Norway is used

Legal system [time series]

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Background [time series]

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.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Population [time series]

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

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Airports [time series]

1 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 222

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

none; offshore anchorage only