The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. The island has a total area of 572 square kilometers (221 square miles) and a population of approximately 85,000 people. The capital city is Douglas.

The Isle of Man has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic era. It has been ruled by various powers over the centuries, including the Vikings, the English, and the Scottish. Since the 14th century, the island has been governed by a series of laws and traditions known as the "Manx Constitution."

Today, the Isle of Man is known for its strong economy, which is largely based on finance, offshore banking, and e-commerce. It is also a popular tourist destination, with attractions including the TT motorcycle races, the Laxey Wheel, and the Manx Museum.

The Isle of Man has its own legal system and government, with a Chief Minister and a House of Keys. The island is not part of the United Kingdom but is considered a British Crown dependency, which means it is a self-governing territory with the British monarch as its head of state. The island is not a member of the European Union, but it has a special relationship with the EU through Protocol 3 of the UK's accession treaty.

The Isle of Man has a strong cultural heritage, with a unique language and traditional music. The Manx language, also known as Gaelg, is a Celtic language closely related to Scottish Gaelic and Irish. It is taught in schools on the island and is experiencing a revival in recent years. The island also has a vibrant arts scene, with numerous festivals and events throughout the year.

Telephone Code
44

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations


Climate
Temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Currency (Code)
Manx pounds (IMP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, G

Major Languages
English, Manx Gaelic

Major Religions
Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends), Roman Catholic

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Glen Helen; Road of the Gull; Manx Museum; Isle of Man steam railway; Peel Castle; Castletown Harbour; Cregneash Folk Village; Laxey Wheel

Major Sports
Cycling, rugby, cricket, soccer, gymnastics, field hockey, netball, taekwondo

Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one's hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.

Tipping Guidelines
In hotels, a service charge of 10-12% is frequently added to the bill. Tip as you would if you were in the United Kingdom.

Souvenirs
Hand knit sweaters and other clothing, tartan items, silver jewelry, traditional dolls, liquor, Manx cat and racing-bike-themed items; iron, steel, and woodworking items including furniture

Traditional Cuisine
Isle of Man Queenies — medium-sized queen scallops

Geography
Area
total: 572 sq km
land: 572 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Natural resources
none

People and Society
Population
91,840 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
White 94.7%, Asian 3.1%, Mixed 1%, Black 0.6%, other 0.4% (2021 est.)

Languages
English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)

Religions
Christian 54.7%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 43.8% (2021 est.)

Population growth rate
0.48% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)

Capital
name: Douglas

Economy
Economic overview
high-income British island economy; known financial services and tourism industries; taxation incentives for technology and financial firms to operate; historic fishing and agriculture industries are declining; major online gambling and film industry locale

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$6.792 billion (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$84,600 (2014 est.)

Agricultural products
cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry

Industries
financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Exports - commodities
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb

Imports - commodities
timber, fertilizers, fish