Isle of Man

Official name Isle of Man1
Political status crown dependency (United Kingdom) with two legislative bodies2 (Legislative Council [113]; House of Keys [24])
Head of state British Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Lieutenant Governor: Adam Wood
Head of government Chief Minister: Allan Bell, assisted by the Council of Ministers
Capital Douglas
Official language English4
Official religion none
Monetary unit Manx pound (£M)5
Population (2013 est.) 86,600
Total area (sq mi) 221
Total area (sq km) 572
Urban-rural p:opulation

Urban: (2006) 71.6%

Rural: (2006) 28.4%

Life expectancy at birth

Male: (2006) 75.3 years

Female: (2006) 81.2 years

Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate

Male: not available

Female: not available

GNI per capita (U.S.$) (2010–2011) 66,923

1Ellan Vannin in Manx Gaelic.

2Collective name is Tynwald.

3Includes 3 ex officio seats.

4Manx Gaelic has limited official recognition.

5Equivalent in value to pound sterling (£); the Isle of Man government issues both paper money and coins.

Background of Isle of Man

Isle of Man, also spelled Mann, Manx-Gaelic Ellan Vannin, or Mannin, Latin Mona, or Monapia, one of the British Isles, located in the Irish Sea off the northwest coast of England. The island lies roughly equidistant between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom but rather is a crown possession (since 1828) that is self-governing in its internal affairs under the supervision of the British Home Office.

The Isle of Man is about 30 miles (48 km) long by 10 miles (16 km) wide, its main axis being southwest to northeast. It has an area of 221 square miles (572 square km). The island consists of a central mountain mass culminating in Snaefell (2,036 feet [621 m]) and extending north and south in low-lying agricultural land. Man’s coastline is rocky and has fine cliff scenery. The grass-covered slate peaks of the central massif are smooth and rounded as a result of action during various glacial periods. The island’s landscape is treeless except in sheltered places. To the southwest lies an islet, the Calf of Man, with precipitous cliffs, which is administered by the Manx National Heritage as a bird sanctuary.

The climate is maritime temperate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average mean temperature in February is 41° F (4.9° C) and is 58° F (14.3° C) in August. The average annual rainfall is 45 inches (1,140 mm). The native flora and fauna are of little interest, but the domestic Manx cat, a distinctive tailless breed (see photograph), is traditionally believed to have originated on the island.

The Isle of Man has been inhabited by humans since the Mesolithic Period. It became the home of many Irish missionaries in the centuries following the teaching of St. Patrick (5th century ad). Among its earliest inhabitants were Celts, and their language, Manx, which is closely related to Gaelic, remained the everyday speech of the people until the first half of the 19th century. The number of Manx speakers is now negligible, however. Norse (Viking) invasions began about ad 800, and the isle was a dependency of Norway until 1266. During this period Man came under a Scandinavian system of government that has remained practically unchanged ever since.

In 1266 the king of Norway sold his suzerainty over Man to Scotland, and the island came under the control of England in 1341. From this time on, the island’s successive feudal lords, who styled themselves “kings of Mann,” were all English. In 1406 the English crown granted the island to Sir John Stanley, and his family ruled it almost uninterruptedly until 1736. (The Stanleys refused to be called “kings” and instead adopted the title “lord of Mann,” which still holds.) The lordship of Man passed to the dukes of Atholl in 1736, but in the decades that followed, the island became a major centre for the contraband trade, thus depriving the British government of valuable customs revenues. In response, the British Parliament purchased sovereignty over the island in 1765 and acquired the Atholl family’s remaining prerogatives on the island in 1828.

The government consists of an elected president; a Legislative Council, or upper house; and a popularly elected House of Keys, or lower house. The two houses function as separate legislative bodies but come together to form what is known as the Tynwald Court to transact legislative business. The House of Keys constitutes one of the most ancient legislative assemblies in the world. The Isle of Man levies its own taxes.

Though fishing, agriculture, and smuggling were formerly important, offshore financial services, high-technology manufacturing, and tourism from Britain are now the mainstays of the island’s economy. The island’s annual Tourist Trophy motorcycle races (in June) attract many visitors. The island’s farms produce oats, wheat, barley, turnips, and potatoes, and cattle and sheep graze on the pastures of the central massif. The principal towns are Douglas, the capital; Peel; Castletown; and Ramsey. There is an airport near Castletown, and packet boats connect Man with the British mainland. Pop. (2006) 80,058.

Geography of Isle of Man

Legend has it that the Isle of Man was created when the Irish giant Finn MacCooill threw a chunk of earth from Ireland’s coastline towards Scotland, when in battle, which promptly landed in the Irish Sea and became the Isle of Man.

Of course we can’t be sure of the truth in this tale but for an Island of such modest size, measuring just 33 miles in length and 13 miles in width, you’ll find the Isle of Man really is larger than life!

The Isle of Man occupies a central position in the Irish Sea and the British Isles - right between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Due to the influence of the sea the Island’s climate is temperate making it an ideal year round visitor destination.

Despite its size the Isle of Man has a varying landscape. The coastline stretches for 100 miles and across the northern plain you’ll find long sandy beaches which contrast markedly with the rocky cliffs and sheltered bays around the rest of the Island.

Snaefell – which is 2,036 feet above sea level – is the Island’s only mountain. You’ll also spot a number of smaller Islands located off the Island’s coast including the Calf of Man at the southern tip, which is home to a nature reserve and bird observatory, and St Patrick’s Isle on which Peel Castle proudly stands.

Culture Heritage of Isle of Man

Fiercely proud of its diverse culture and fascinating heritage this sea-bound kingdom has a captivating story to tell – one which stretches back for thousands of years.

Legend has it that the Island’s name comes from the Celtic sea god Manannan Mac Lir who protected the land from invaders by shrouding it in a cloak of mist.

It is these folklore stories, and the history that follows, which are carefully safeguarded by the Manx people to ensure the Island doesn’t lose any of its unique charm of character.

A visit to the Isle of Man will be a voyage of discovery and will present the chance to explore Celtic crosses and ancient Viking burial grounds as well as a number of heritage landmarks which tell the Story of Mann.

You’ll also hear tales of giants, fairies and brownies - which were said to intervene in the lives of ordinary people – and although times have changed many of the original customs and superstitions live on. Don’t forget to say “Hello” to the fairies as you pass over Fairy Bridge!

Modern day culture is well showcased throughout the year with a packed programme of entertainment including the annual inter-Celtic festival – Yn Chruinnaght – where the native Manx Gaelic language, song and dance is celebrated.

The Isle of Man’s strong identity is due in part to its independence and the fact that the Island is self-governing. It has the oldest continuous parliament in the world, Tynwald, which dates back over 1,000 years. You can tour the Tynwald building and visit Tynwald Hill – where parliament meets in the open air once a year.

Your visit to the Isle of Man really will be a fascinating and unique experience!

Disclaimer

This is not the official site of this country. Most of the information in this site were taken from the U.S. Department of State, The Central Intelligence Agency, The United Nations, [1],[2], [3], [4], [5],[6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14],[15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24],[25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30],[31], [32], [33], [34], and the [35].

Other sources of information will be mentioned as they are posted.