The Isle of Man lies in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. Mann, as it is known to the islanders, is just 52 kilometres (33 miles) long and 22 kilometres (13 miles) wide. The island has a temperate climate, strongly influenced by the sea around it, which keeps summers pleasantly warm and winters mild and wet. The uplands in the centre of the island are cut through by the valley of the River Dhoo, which flows into the sea at the capital, Douglas. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom, but a Crown Dependency like the Channel Islands. It has its own government, called Tynwald. The British monarch is the official head of state.

People and economy

People who live in the Isle of Man are known as Manxmen or Manxwomen. They are a Celtic people, sharing ancestors with the Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Cornish. Around half of the island’s inhabitants were born on the island; the rest have come here to work from the UK and Ireland. Most people live in coastal towns such as the capital, Douglas, and the towns of Castletown, Peel and Ramsey. They are British citizens.
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In the past, islanders made a living from farming and fishing, but these industries employ only a few people nowadays. Most residents work in service industries such as healthcare, banking and tourism. The island has a low-tax economy, which means that its government allows banks and technology companies to set up in the Isle of Man, but pay lower taxes than they would do elsewhere.

Manx Gaelic

Although the Isle of Man’s official language is English, about 2% of the inhabitants know some Manx Gaelic, the island's traditional language. It is closely related to Scots and Irish Gaelic, and shares some of the same words. Some islanders are trying to re-introduce Manx as a spoken language, to help keep the language and culture alive. Children can now attend nursery schools where only Manx is spoken, and study Manx at primary and secondary school.

Facts about Isle of Man

Population 84,523 (2024)

Area 572 sq km (221 square miles)

Highest point Snaefell 621 m (2036 ft)

Capital Douglas (pop. 26,677)

Language English, Manx Gaelic

Religion Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic)

Ethnicity White 97%, Asian/Asian British 2%, others 1%

Currency Manx pound (IMP)

Chief exports tweed fabric, herring, beef, lamb, shellfish