| Isle of Man | |
| Map: | British Isles |
| Area Km2: | 572 |
| Coastline Km: | 160 |
| Elevation M: | 621 |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Largest town |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Douglas (pop. 23,000) |
| Population: | 79,805 |
| Population As Of: | 2006 |
| Density Km2: | 139.52 |
The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland in Northern Europe, with a population of almost 85,000. It is a British Crown dependency. It has a small islet, the Calf of Man, to its south. It is located at .
Area:
Land:571km2
Water:11NaN1 (100 ha)
Total:572km2
This makes it:
The Isle of Man has a coastline of 160km (100miles), and a territorial sea extending to a maximum of 12 nm from the coast, or the midpoint between it and other countries. The total territorial sea area is about 4000 km2 or 1500 sq miles, which is about 87% of the total area of the jurisdiction of the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man only holds exclusive fishing rights in the first 3 nm. The territorial sea is managed by the Isle of Man Government Department of Infrastructure.
The Raad ny Foillan long-distance footpath runs 153km (95miles) around the Manx coast.
The Isle of Man enjoys a temperate climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Average rainfall is high compared to the majority of the British Isles, due to its location to the western side of Great Britain and sufficient distance from Ireland for moisture to be accumulated by the prevailing south-westerly winds. Average rainfall is highest at Snaefell, where it is around 19001NaN1 a year. At lower levels, it can fall to around 8001NaN1 a year.
Temperatures remain fairly cool, with the recorded maximum being at Ronaldsway.
See main article: Hills and mountains of the Isle of Man.
The island's terrain is varied. There are two mountainous areas divided by a central valley which runs between Douglas and Peel. The highest point in the Isle of Man, Snaefell, is in the northern area and reaches 620m (2,030feet) above sea level. The northern end of the island is a flat plain, consisting of glacial tills and marine sediments. To the south, the island is more hilly, with distinct valleys. There is no land below sea level.
There are few severe natural hazards, the most common being high winds, rough seas and dense fog. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the frequency of high winds, heavy rains, summer droughts and flooding both from heavy rain and from high seas. Snow fall has decreased significantly over the past century while temperatures are increasing year-round with rainfall decreasing.
Air pollution, marine pollution and waste disposal are issues in the Isle of Man.
In order of importance, international first, non-statutory last. Note that ASSIs and MNRs have equal levels of statutory protection under the Wildlife Act 1990.
Designated:
Candidate:
In 2024, the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force recognised that 17,610km2 of the central Irish Sea as being of global importance for marine mammals, known as the Central Irish Sea Important Marine Mammal Area. This includes about half of Manx marine territorial waters.[12]
The UK RSPB and UK JNCC have designated five areas of the Isle of Man which are of global significance to birdlife.[13]
There are 25 ASSIs on the Isle of Man as of November 2022. One additional ASSI has been designated but later rescinded (Ramsey Estuary). Dates below refer to year of formal confirmation.
The Island's first marine nature reserve was designated in Ramsey Bay in October 2011.[15] [16] In 2018, nine further Marine Nature Reserves were given statutory protection. The ten Marine Nature Reserves around the Isle of Man cover over 10% of the country's territorial waters, in accordance with international requirements.[17] [18]
Eelgrass Zostera marina is a legally protected species on the Isle of Man.[19] Between 2011 and 2018, four strictly protected Eelgrass Conservation Zones have been designated to protect this important species.[20]
In 2023, three existing statutory Eelgrass Conservation Zones were expanded on a voluntary basis (noting that, regardless of this 'voluntary' status, the species is still legally fully protected from reckless disturbance), with a further new site identified. [21]
Bird sanctuaries were formerly designated by that name under the Wild Birds Protection Act 1932. This designation was superseded by "Areas of Special Protection for Birds" under the Wildlife Act 1990; however, the following formerly designated Bird Sanctuaries remain protected:
Protected from unlicensed burning or destruction by the Heath Burning Act 2003.
Manx Wildlife Trust was founded on 6 March 1973 and manages 32 nature reserves, including the Calf of Man which is managed in conjunction with the landowner Manx National Trust. As of December2024, these reserves total 561.1ha, or around 1% of the Isle of Man and include:
| Name | Acquired | Area | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aust | 2016 | 4.2ha | ||
| Ballachrink | 2011 | 10.08ha | Part of the Renscault & Ballachrink Bird Sanctuary | |
| Ballachurry | 2016 | 1.67ha | ||
| Ballacojeen Curragh | 2024 | 0.29ha | ||
| Ballamooar Meadow | 1994 | 0.39ha | ||
| Barnell Reservoir | 1974 & 1984 | 1.57ha | Part of the Ballamoar Bird Sanctuary (Patrick) | |
| Billown | 2023 | 1.66ha | Includes Rosehill Quarry ASSI | |
| Breagle Glen and Cronk Aash | 1988, 1991 & 2010 | 0.85ha | ||
| Calf of Man | 262.34ha | Owned by Manx National Trust, co-managed by Manx Wildlife Trust since 2005. Candidate Ramsar site | ||
| Close e Quayle | 1994 & 2003 | 3.98ha | ||
| Close Sartfield | 1987 | 12.34ha | Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site | |
| Close Umpson | 1995 | 0.79ha | Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site | |
| Cooildarry | 1976 & 1979 | 5.23ha | ||
| Creg y Cowin | 2023 | 43.25ha | ||
| Cronk y Bing | 1989 | 7.23ha | An Area of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Curragh Feeagh | 1986 | 2.4ha | ||
| Curragh Kiondroghad (Onchan Community Wetlands) | 1988 & 1990 | 0.53ha | ||
| Dalby Mountain | 1995 & 2024 | 45.24ha | Candidate Ramsar site | |
| Dalby Mountain Fields | 1995 | 4.26ha | ||
| Dobbie's Meadow | 2013 | 4.08ha | ||
| Earystane | 1998 | 0.66ha | ||
| Fell's Field | 1998 | 1.16ha | ||
| Glen Dhoo | 1995 | 9.62ha | ||
| Glion Darragh | 2024 | 70.62ha | ||
| Goshen | 1995, 1998, 2008 & 2023 | 18.92ha | Part of Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site | |
| Hairpin Woodland Park | 2019, 2022, 2024 & 2024 | 25.54ha | ||
| Lough Cranstal | 1989 & 2022 | 6.69ha | Candidate Ramsar site | |
| Lough Gat e Whing | 2016 | 1.75ha | ||
| Miss Guyler's Meadow | 1989 | 1.22ha | ||
| Moaney & Crawyn's Meadows | 1995 | 0.96ha | Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site | |
| Mullen e Cloie | 2008 | 1.14ha | ||
| The Keyllagh | 2024 | 10.44ha | ||
| Total | 561.1ha | This represents approximately 1% of the Isle of Man's land area (57,198ha) |
The Isle of Man has (as of March 2023) 92 non-statutory 'Wildlife Sites' covering 1230.54ha in addition to the 10.4 km of coastline. As of 30 January 2009 this total was 45 wildlife sites, covering about 195 ha of land and an additional 10.5km (06.5miles) of inter-tidal coast. Wildlife Sites are not recognised in law, but are recognised in terms of Government policy, including planning and zonation (by the Isle of Man Strategic Plan) and agricultural policy (under Cross Compliance regulations). Wildlife Sites are shown on the MANNGIS Island Environment map.
1.4ha managed by Castletown Commissioners
nature reserve, private but open to the public
The following properties are under the protection of Manx National Heritage. The Manx National Trust owns properties in 15 of the 17 Manx parishes (all except Jurby and Michael).
See main article: Geology of the Isle of Man.
The majority of the island is formed from highly faulted and folded sedimentary rocks of the Ordovician period. There is a belt of younger Silurian rocks along the west coast between Niarbyl and Peel, and a small area of Devonian sandstones around Peel. A band of Carboniferous period rocks underlies part of the northern plain, but is nowhere seen at the surface; however similar age rocks do outcrop in the south between Castletown, Silverdale and Port St Mary. Permo- Triassic age rocks are known to lie beneath the Point of Ayre but, as with the rest of the northern plain, these rocks are concealed by substantial thicknesses of superficial deposits.[29]
The island has significant deposits of copper, lead and silver, zinc, iron, and plumbago (a mix of graphite and clay).[30] There are also quarries of black marble, limestone flags, clay schist, and granite.[31] These are all modern, and there was no noticeable exploitation of metals or minerals before the modern era.
The island has a census-estimated population of 84,497 according to the most recent 2011 census: up from 79,805 in 2006 and 76,315 in 2001.
The island's largest town and administrative centre is Douglas, whose population is 23,000 – over a quarter of the population of the island. Neighbouring Onchan, Ramsey in the north, Peel in the west and the three southern ports of Castletown, Port Erin and Port St Mary are the island's other main settlements. Almost all its population lives on or very near the coast.