Jan Mayen Introduction - 2023

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

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.

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Definitions and Notes

NOTE: The information regarding Jan Mayen on this page is re-published from the 2023 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Jan Mayen 2023 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Jan Mayen 2023 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.