Olonkinbyen

Olonkinbyen (literally The Olonkin Town) is the only settlement on the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen (aside from isolated cottage huts such as Puppebu). It was named after Russian-Norwegian explorer Gennady Olonkin, who participated in Arctic expeditions and served on Jan Mayen during several periods between 1928 and 1936.

The only inhabitants on the island are the 18 personnel, 14 working for the Norwegian Armed Forces and 4 for the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, though the population can temporarily increase to as many as 35. Olonkinbyen houses the staff that operate the meteorological observation station, Loran-C station, Jan Mayensfield air field and other infrastructure. The meteorological observation service staff are responsible for the radiosonde releases and synoptic weather observations. The crew of the meteorological station is engaged for six months at a time. Personnel rotation typically occurs twice per year, in April and October, and there are no permanent residents. However, the station chief — a military officer — generally stays for a full year.