Jan Mayen Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
| Flag | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | administered by Nordland county, with authority delegated to the Norwegian Defense Communication Service |
| Government | territory of Norway |
| Area | 373 sq km |
| Population | 18 personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Electricity | 3 Diesel generators, 440kWh each |
| Calling Code | +47 |
| Internet TLD | .sj |
| Time Zone | UTC +1 |
Jan Mayen is an island between Greenland and Norway in the Arctic Ocean.
Contents |
Understand
This desolate, mountainous volcanic island, partially covered in glaciers with some moss and grass, 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 (2,277 meters) resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth.
Climate
Arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog.
Get in
By plane
There is an 1600m unpaved airstrip. No commercial flights. A NDB (JAN 362kHz) is available for air traffic.
By boat
There are no natural harbors. The Kvalrossbukta and Båtvika bay are often used for getting on shore using rubber zodiacs.
Buy
There is no economic activity on Jan Mayen. Jan Mayen is a Norwegian tax free zone.
Sleep
There are no public accommodations on Jan Mayen.
Stay safe
The harsh Arctic climate and occasional volcanic activity are the greatest hazards.
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