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.

Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W

Map reference: Arctic Region

Area
Total: 377 km²
Land: 377 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 206
Comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 124.1 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers

Elevation
Lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
Highest point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277: 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

Natural resources: none

Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
Forest: 0% (2011 est.)
Other: 100% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 km² (2012)

Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Beerenbergvolcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985

Geography
Note: barren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon 'bowl') and the smaller Sor-Jan (the 'handle'), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the 'stem') with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon)

Population
Note: no indigenous inhabitants: note: military personnel operate the the weather and coastal services radio station

Environment
Current issues: pollutants transported from southerly latitudes by winds, ocean currents, and rivers accumulate in the food chains of native animals; climate change

Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Jan Mayen
Etymology: named after Dutch Captain Jan Jacobszoon MAY, one of the first explorers to reach the island in 1614

Legal system: the laws of Norway apply where applicable 

Flag description: the flag of Norway is used

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.

Broadcast media: a coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994

Airports: 1 (2013)
Rank: 225
With unpaved runways total: 1 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (2013)

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Disputes international: none