Does anyone live in Jan Mayen?

It is a territory of Norway, and has no native population. The eighteen people who currently live there operate the weather station, LORAN-C transmitter, and coastal radio station. Their base is called Olonkin City, which is located on the southwest coast.

Are there polar bears on Jan Mayen?

Polar bears are the most dangerous animals in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. In fact, apart from humans, they may be the only dangerous animals on the islands. However, the rugged wildlife terrain presents catastrophic threats, like avalanches. And Jan Mayen is a volcano.

Does anyone live on Svalbard and Jan Mayen?

Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean under the sovereignty of Norway, but is subject to the special status granted by the Svalbard Treaty. Jan Mayen is a remote island in the Arctic Ocean; it has no permanent population and is administrated by the County Governor of Nordland.

Is Jan Mayen active?

The landscape on Jan Mayen is influenced by the volcanic origin of the island. The northernmost active volcano in the world which rises above sea level is located on the northern part of the island.

Is Jan Mayen on a hot spot?

The island is 53.6 kilometers long and only 2.5 to 15.8 kilometers wide. Similar to Iceland, Jan Mayen lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is volcanically active. The volcanic activity is caused by the so called Jan Mayen Hotspot. A hotspot is a location in the Earth’s mantle, which increases hot magma to the surface.

Why is it called Jan Mayen?

The island is named after the Dutchman Jan Jacobs May van Schellinkhout who visited the island in 1614. His first mate did some mapping of the coast and named the island Jan Mayen.

How hot does it get in Svalbard?

Meteorology. Average summer temperatures on Svalbard range from 3 to 7 °C (37.4 to 44.6 °F) in July, and winter temperatures from −13 to −20 °C (8.6 to −4.0 °F) in January. The highest temperature ever recorded was 23.0 °C (73.4 °F) in July 2020 and the coldest was −46.3 °C (−51.3 °F) in March 1986.

Do they speak English in Svalbard?

The official language is Norwegian. However, nearly everyone speaks English. In Barentsburg, Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.

How old is Jan Mayen island?

Its age was determined on approximately 700,000 years. On the Jan Mayen Island is also located the northernmost volcano of the world which is over sea level.

Does anyone live in Svalbard?

Although Svalbard belongs to the Kingdom of Norway, two settlements in the archipelago are mostly populated by Russians and Ukrainians. Around 450 people live in the modern mining community of Barentsburg, while fewer than 10 live in the Soviet ghost town of Pyramiden.

Why are cats banned in Svalbard?

Cats are banned, in the whole archipelago actually. It is for the reason that they might harm the wildlife, specifically the bird’s population. But for those who have already been here, and were able to see Kesha, the most famous Svalbard cat, you might wonder how he’s still here.

Why can’t you be buried on Svalbard?

Because of the permafrost on Svalbard, burial isn’t possible as bodies simply won’t decompose.

Can I buy a house in Svalbard?

Housing and work The Norwegian state owns practically all land in Svalbard and in practice it is not possible to buy a plot for building your own home. Some private housing has been built on rented land. This housing has been sold or rented out to private individuals in Longyearbyen.

What is the coldest city in the US?

Fairbanks, Alaska
found that Fairbanks, Alaska, is the coldest city in the U.S. with the minimum average temperature in the coldest month a bone-chilling -16.9° F. The lowest temperature ever recorded there is -66° F.

What is minimum wage in Svalbard?

6,610 NOK per month
Minimum wage Salaries in Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands range from 6,610 NOK per month to 117,000 NOK per month.

Is giving birth in Svalbard illegal?

You cannot give birth on Svalbard. Just as you can’t die, you can’t be born on Svalbard either. When a pregnant women has a few weeks remaining before her due date, she must travel to the mainland to give birth.

How long did the Austro-Hungarian North Pole expedition stay at Jan Mayen?

During the International Polar Year 1882–1883 the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition stayed one year at Jan Mayen. The expedition performed extensive mapping of the area, their maps being of such quality that they were used until the 1950s.

Where did Jan Mayen first appear on the map?

Jan Mayen first appeared on Willem Jansz Blaeu ‘s 1620 edition map of Europe, originally published by Cornelis Doedz in 1606.

Is there any evidence of medieval settlement on Jan Mayen?

Though quite feasible, there is nevertheless no direct physical trace of medieval landings or settlement on Jan Mayen.

Are there polar bears on Jan Mayen Island?

The Austrian polar station on Jan Mayen Island was built and equipped in 1882 fully at Count Wilczek’s own expense. Polar bears appear on Jan Mayen, although in diminished numbers compared with earlier times.