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Isle
of Man Geography
The Isle of Man is situated centrally in the
Irish Sea and the British Isles. The Island
spans 52 kilometres from north to south and
22 km from east to west at the widest point.
The coastline, which covers 160 km in length
encompasses an area of 572 sq. km. Even though
the island is small, the scenery is varied.
A range of hills stretch obliquely across the
Island and in between lie well defined valleys.
Sandy beaches meet the Island's flat northern
plain which contrast markedly with the rocky
cliffs and sheltered bays around the rest of
the coastline. The fertile northern and southern
plains are cultivated, comprising two thirds
of the land mass.
The Island has a temperate climate due to the
influence of the surrounding Irish Sea. Snowfall
and frost are rare in winter. February is normally
the coldest month, with an average daily temperature
of 4.9 C and is often fairly dry but rather
windy. April, May and June are the driest months
whilst May, June and July are the sunniest.
The average daily maximum temperature in the
summer months is around 17.6 C and thunderstorms
are rare.
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Isle of Man Population,
Language and Culture
Population density is only 125 people per square
km. The major settlements are Douglas (population
23,487) in the east and neighbouring Onchan (8,656)
and Ramsey (6,874) in the north. The 1996 Census
recorded a resident population of 71,714 representing
an increase of almost 3% since 1991. This increase
occurred mainly within the working age range through
the immigration of economically active people,
which reflected the expansion in the Manx economy
over the previous 5 years. In 2007 the population
figure was estimated at 75,831.
English is the official language and a Manx dialect
is also spoken. The Manx Iron Age lasted from
around 500 BC to 500 AD and the Celtic traditions
established during this period are fundamental
to the culture today. Manx Gaelic was the everyday
language of the people until the nineteenth century
and is currently enjoying a revival. Sea trade
developed and flourished due to the Island's strategic
location in the heart of the Irish sea. Cultural
influences from Scandinavia in the north, Europe
in the south, Britain and Ireland have all touched
the Island. Christianity was introduced as early
as the sixth century and became integrally linked
to the lives of the Manx people.
In
1265 at the end of the Norsk Kingdom the Island
became a pawn in a game of war between Scotland
and England. Sovereignty finally passed to the
English Crown at the beginning of the fifteenth
century. In the eighteenth century the Island's
offshore independence made it a major centre for
the smuggling trade, causing a considerable loss
of revenue to the English Treasury. The British
Government intervened and in 1765 the entire Island
was purchased for GBP70,000. A period of direct
rule from Westminster followed and it was not
until the mid-1800s that the Island regained a
measure of control over its internal finances.
Since that time political power has gradually
diverted from London to the Island and a colonial-style
administration has given way to a modern democratic
government.
The
people of the Isle of Man have a great respect
for their rich cultural heritage which is a testimony
to their ability to adapt and exploit the changing
circumstances of history.
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Isle of Man Relationship with the
EU
The Isle of Man is not a member of the EU. Protocol
No 3 of the UK's Treaty of Accession to the UK
excludes the island from most of the effects of
the Treaty, other than those concerning trade
in goods.
There
is free movement of industrial and agricultural
goods between the island and the UK; and between
the island and EU and EEA countries. The island
applies the external common customs tariff of
the EU.
The
Isle of Man chose to become part of the EU's VAT
regime, but is not part of the EU fiscal area
in any other respects. The island's VAT scheme
is largely similar to that of the UK. For some
types of business activity inside the EU it is
an advantage to be within the scope of VAT.
The
Isle of Man's constitutional position in relation
to the EU cannot be changed without unanimous
agreement of the member states, including of course
the UK. The island sees its current relationship
with the EU as beneficial, and does not seek to
change it.
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Isle
of Man Government
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown
dependency. The Queen of England, as Lord of Mann,
is Head of State, and she is represented on the
Island by the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed
by the Crown for a five year term. The Government
of the United Kingdom is responsible for the conduct
of the external relations and defence of the Island.
The
Island's ancient parliament, Tynwald, is the oldest
legislature in the world in continuous existence,
dating back to Viking origins over one thousand
years ago. Its Parliament has two branches: the
House of Keys and the Legislative Council. The
majority of Members sit as independents, and the
virtual absence of party politics encourages a
high degree of consensus. This has contributed
to the remarkable stability of the Manx system.
The
island has its own courts, but the body of the
law is based on English common and civil law.
English precedents are often followed. Some UK
legislation is adopted as such by the Isle of
Man by agreement with the British Government.
The ultimate court of appeal is the English Privy
Council. Advocates at the Manx bar have the fused
rights of solicitors and barristers.
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