Jan Mayen

Airports

1 with runway 1,220 to 2,439 m

Ports

none; offshore anchorage only

Telecommunications

radio and meteorological station

Note

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Electricity

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

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.

Climate

arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Coastline

124.1 km

Comparative area

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Contiguous zone

10 nm;

Continental shelf

200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

Disputes

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

Environment

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

Exclusive fishing zone

200 nm;

Land boundaries

none

Land use

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

Natural resources

none

Note

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

Terrain

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

Territorial sea

4 nm

Total area

373 km2; land area: 373 km2

Long-form name

none

Note

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

Type

territory of Norway

Population

no permanent inhabitants