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Jan Mayen:
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Other pages in this profile of Jan Mayen:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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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. |
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Location |
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland |
Geographic coordinates |
71 00 N, 8 00 W |
Map references |
Arctic Region |
Area |
total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
0 km |
Coastline |
124.1 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Climate |
arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog |
Terrain |
volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m |
Natural resources |
none |
Land use |
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |