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Britain By Car - A Motoring History

Isle of Man

A mountainous island, about 31 miles long and 13 miles wide, located in the Irish Sea, roughly equidistant from England, Ireland and Wales.

Remnants of settlement on the island date back more than 8,000 years, with stone monuments from the Neolithic period, Bronze Age tombs, and Celtic coastal forts.

In the eleventh century, the Isle of Man was settled by the Vikings, who established the Tynwald – often described today as the world’s oldest parliament.
 
During the Victorian era the island became a popular tourist destination.  This is less important today, although visitor numbers remain high for the two-week summer motorcycle festival.

Strictly speaking, the Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom or the European Union; it is instead a possession of the British Crown, with its own independent administration.  In reality, this means that the island has its own parliament (the Tynwald) and is able to pass many of its own laws.  Defence, however remains the responsibility of the UK Crown.

With thanks to the following for the images of the Isle of Man:
Inner Harbour, Douglas © David Dixon
Government Offices © Colin Park
Marine Drive © Andy Radcliffe
Sartfell © Jon Wornham

Isle of Man locations