Jan Mayen Island

Background: This desolate, 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; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth.
Location: Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland. Area: total: 373 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 124.1 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog. Terrain: Volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers. Geography - note: Barren volcanic island with some moss and grass.
People: No indigenous inhabitants. Note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station.
Government: Dependency status: 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.
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.
Statistics: Radio broadcast stations: Note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Ports and harbors: None; offshore anchorage only. Airports: 1 with unpaved runway.: