Isle of Man

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The Isle of Man, a British crown dependency, lies in the Irish Sea almost equidistant from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. With an area of 572 km² (221 square miles) and a population of around 76,315 (2001 Census) it has the "Oldest Continuously Democratic Parliament in the World" - the Tynwald - founded in 979.

Isle of Man English language>English Manx: Ellan Vannin

Image:Man_flag_medium.png Image:Isle_of_Man_Arms_ Small.png

National motto: Quocunque Jeceris Stabit
(Latin: Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand)
Image:BritishIslesMan.png
Official languages English, Manx
Capital Douglas
Lord of Mann Elizabeth II
Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen
Chief Minister Richard Corkill
Currency pound (on par with pound sterling)
Time zone UTC (DST +1)
National anthem Isle of Man National Anthem
Internet TLD .IM
Calling Code 44 (UK area code 1624)

Table of contents

1 History
2 Politics
3 Geography
4 Economy
5 Demographics
6 Culture
7 Miscellaneous topics
8 See also
9 References
10 External links

History

Main article: History of the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man formed a Viking outpost/kingdom from circa 700 A.D. to 900 A.D., and part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland. The island came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the once almost extinct Manx language.

Politics

''Main article: Government of the Isle of Man

It is a common misconception that Man forms part of the United Kingdom; under British law it does not, though the United Kingdom takes care of its external and defence affairs. The Isle of Man does not have membership of the European Union either.

Man is in fact a British Crown Dependency, although the party Mec Vannin advocates the establishment of Man as a sovereign republic.

Geography

''Main article: Geography of the Isle of Man

Economy

''Main article: Economy of the Isle of Man

Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy of the Isle of Man. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking and other services now contribute the great bulk of GDP. Trade is mostly with the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man has access to European Union markets.

References

CIA World Factbook 2000

External links

Information on places in the Isle of Man
IsleofMan Email group with Photographs, Files and Links to information about the Isle of Man

Europe

Dependencies

Faroe Islands | Gibraltar | Guernsey | Isle of Man | Jersey