​Jan Mayen (territory of Norway)

 See regional map XI

Geography

Total area: 373 km²; land area: 373 km²

Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 124.1 km

Maritime claims:

Contiguous zone: 10 nm

Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Territorial sea: 4 nm

Disputes: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beween Greenland and Jan Mayen

Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg is the highest peak, with an elevation of 2,277 meters

Natural resources: none

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other

Environment: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass; volcanic activity resumed in 1970

Note: located 590 km north-northwest of Iceland between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea north of the Arctic Circle

People

Population: no permanent inhabitants

Government

Long-form name: none

Type: territory of Norway

Note: administered by a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard)

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 located on the island.

Electricity: 15,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1989)

Communications

Airports: 1 with runway 1,220 to 2,439 m

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Telecommunications: radio and meteorological station

Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway