Europe :: ISLE OF MAN

  • Introduction :: ISLE OF MAN

  • Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British Crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency but is not part of the UK or of the EU. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

  • Geography :: ISLE OF MAN

  • Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
    54 15 N, 4 30 W
    Europe
    total: 572 sq km
    land: 572 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    country comparison to the world: 194
    slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
    0 km
    160 km
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
    temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time
    hills in north and south bisected by central valley
    mean elevation: NA
    elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m
    highest point: Snaefell 621 m
    none
    agricultural land: 74.7%
    arable land 43.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 30.9%
    forest: 6.1%
    other: 19.2% (2011 est.)
    0 sq km (2012)
    most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest
    NA
    waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution
    one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary

  • People and Society :: ISLE OF MAN

  • 88,195 (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 200
    noun: Manxman(men), Manxwoman(women)
    adjective: Manx
    white 96.5%, Asian/Asian British 1.9%, other 1.5% (2011 est.)
    English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)
    Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends), Roman Catholic
    0-14 years: 16.31% (male 7,526/female 6,855)
    15-24 years: 11.61% (male 5,354/female 4,886)
    25-54 years: 39.04% (male 17,212/female 17,222)
    55-64 years: 12.93% (male 5,752/female 5,649)
    65 years and over: 20.11% (male 8,287/female 9,452) (2016 est.)
    total: 43.9 years
    male: 43.2 years
    female: 44.7 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 11
    0.72% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 148
    11 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 179
    10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 40
    6.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 17
    most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest
    urban population: 52.1% of total population (2014)
    rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
    DOUGLAS (capital) 29,000 (2014)
    at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
    0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
    15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
    25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
    55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
    total: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 191
    total population: 81.2 years
    male: 79.5 years
    female: 83 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 27
    1.93 children born/woman (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 131
    NA
    NA
    NA
    total: 10.1%
    male: 11.8%
    female: 8.2% (2011 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 118

  • Government :: ISLE OF MAN

  • conventional long form: none
    conventional short form: Isle of Man
    abbreviation: I.O.M.
    etymology: the name "man" may be derived from the Celtic word for "mountain"
    British Crown dependency
    parliamentary democracy (Tynwald); a Crown dependency of the UK
    name: Douglas
    geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 29 W
    time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
    daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
    none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections
    none (British crown dependency)
    Tynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded
    history: development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century
    amendments: proposed as bills in the House of Keys by the “Government,” by a “Member of the House,” or by outside bodies or private individuals through petition to the House or Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Legislative Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor acting on behalf of the Crown; the constitution has been expanded and amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)
    the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and include Manx statutes
    see United Kingdom
    16 years of age; universal
    chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 27 May 2016)
    head of government: Chief Minister Howard QUAYLE (since 4 October 2016)
    cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor
    elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term); election last held on 4 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021)
    election results: Howard QUAYLE (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald vote count - 21 of 33
    description: bicameral Tynwald or the High Court of Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; includes the President of Tynwald, 2 ex-officio members - the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general (non-voting) - and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys with renewal of 4 members every 2 years; elected members serve 4-year terms) and the House of Keys (24 seats; 2 members directly elected by simple majority vote from 12 constituencies to serve 5-year terms)
    elections: House of Keys - last held on 22 September 2016 (next to be held in September 2021)
    election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 6.4%, independent 91.7%; seats by party - Liberal Vannin 3, independent 21
    highest resident court(s): Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery is not formally part of the High Court but is administered as though part of the High Court and deals with serious criminal cases; note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
    judge selection and term of office: deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70
    subordinate courts: High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts
    Liberal Vannin Party [Kate BEECROFT]
    Manx Labor Party
    Mec Vannin [Bernard MOFFATT]; (sometimes referred to as the Manx Nationalist Party; advocates a sovereign state and environment policies)
    note: most members sit as independents
    Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog)
    UPU
    none (British Crown dependency)
    none (British Crown dependency)
    red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used; the flag is based on the coat-of-arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, Magnus III (r. 1252-65); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun symbol
    triskelion (a motif of three legs); national colors: red, white
    name: "Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth)
    lyrics/music: William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional
    note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

  • Economy :: ISLE OF MAN

  • Financial services, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this 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 contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Online gambling sites provided about 10% of the islands income in 2014. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets and trade is mostly with the UK. In October 2014, the Isle of Man signed an OECD agreement to automatically exchange some financial account information to limit tax avoidance and evasion.
    $6.298 billion (FY12/13 est.)
    $5.85 billion (FY11/12 est.)
    $5.621 billion (FY10/11 est.)
    note: data are in 2013 US dollars
    country comparison to the world: 168
    $4.076 billion (2007 est.)
    2.2% (2012)
    3.4% (2011)
    2.1% (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 130
    $83,100 (2007 est.)
    $35,000 (2005 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 7
    agriculture: 1%
    industry: 13%
    services: 86% (FY12/13 est.)
    cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
    financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
    41,790 (2006)
    country comparison to the world: 194
    agriculture, forestry, and fishing: 2%
    manufacturing: 5%
    construction: 8%
    gas, electricity, and water: 1%
    transport and communication: 9%
    wholesale and retail distribution: 11%
    professional and scientific services: 20%
    public administration: 7%
    banking and finance: 23%
    tourism: 1%
    entertainment and catering: 5%
    miscellaneous services: 8% (2006)
    2% (April 2011 est.)
    1.8% (October 2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 12
    NA%
    lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    revenues: $965 million
    expenditures: $943 million (FY05/06 est.)
    23.7% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 126
    0.5% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 23
    1 April - 31 March
    5% (2010 est.)
    3.1% (2006)
    country comparison to the world: 174
    $NA
    $NA
    tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
    $NA
    timber, fertilizers, fish
    $NA
    Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar -
    0.7391 (2016 est.)
    0.6542 (2015 est.)
    0.6542 (2014)
    0.6472 (2013 est.)
    0.6241 (2012 est.)

  • Economy :: ISLE OF MAN

  • Financial services, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this 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 contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Online gambling sites provided about 10% of the islands income in 2014. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets and trade is mostly with the UK. In October 2014, the Isle of Man signed an OECD agreement to automatically exchange some financial account information to limit tax avoidance and evasion.
    $6.298 billion (FY12/13 est.)
    $5.85 billion (FY11/12 est.)
    $5.621 billion (FY10/11 est.)
    note: data are in 2013 US dollars
    country comparison to the world: 168
    $4.076 billion (2007 est.)
    2.2% (2012)
    3.4% (2011)
    2.1% (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 130
    $83,100 (2007 est.)
    $35,000 (2005 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 7
    agriculture: 1%
    industry: 13%
    services: 86% (FY12/13 est.)
    cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
    financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
    41,790 (2006)
    country comparison to the world: 194
    agriculture, forestry, and fishing: 2%
    manufacturing: 5%
    construction: 8%
    gas, electricity, and water: 1%
    transport and communication: 9%
    wholesale and retail distribution: 11%
    professional and scientific services: 20%
    public administration: 7%
    banking and finance: 23%
    tourism: 1%
    entertainment and catering: 5%
    miscellaneous services: 8% (2006)
    2% (April 2011 est.)
    1.8% (October 2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 12
    NA%
    lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    revenues: $965 million
    expenditures: $943 million (FY05/06 est.)
    23.7% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 126
    0.5% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 23
    1 April - 31 March
    5% (2010 est.)
    3.1% (2006)
    country comparison to the world: 174
    $NA
    $NA
    tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
    $NA
    timber, fertilizers, fish
    $NA
    Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar -
    0.7391 (2016 est.)
    0.6542 (2015 est.)
    0.6542 (2014)
    0.6472 (2013 est.)
    0.6241 (2012 est.)

  • Communications :: ISLE OF MAN

  • domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system
    international: country code - 44; fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable
    national public radio broadcasts over 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial broadcasters operating with 1 having multiple FM stations; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters (2008)
    .im

  • Transportation :: ISLE OF MAN

  • M (2016)
    1 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 221
    total: 1
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
    total: 63 km
    narrow gauge: 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified)
    note: primarily summer tourist attractions (2008)
    country comparison to the world: 130
    total: 500 km (2008)
    country comparison to the world: 197
    total: 321
    by type: bulk carrier 59, cargo 55, chemical tanker 52, container 7, liquefied gas 43, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 93, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 5
    foreign-owned: 223 (Bermuda 7, Chile 9, Denmark 30, Germany 56, Greece 62, Ireland 1, Japan 19, Malaysia 6, Norway 30, South Africa 2, US 1) (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 30
    major seaport(s): Douglas, Ramsey

  • Military and Security :: ISLE OF MAN

  • defense is the responsibility of the UK

  • Transnational Issues :: ISLE OF MAN

  • none