World Factbook
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
the flag of Norway is used
Country name
etymology
named after Dutch Captain Jan Jacobszoon MAY, one of the first explorers to reach the island in 1614
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Jan Mayen
Legal system
the laws of Norway apply
Dependency status
territory of Norway; since 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; in 2010, Norway designated the majority of Jan Mayen as a nature reserve