Introduction
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.
Location
Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates
54 15 N, 4 30 W
Area - comparative
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land use
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Environment - international agreements
none
Geography - note
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
Population
74,655 (July 2004 est.)