Isle of Man
Gerard MacQuillan
Philip Conway Thomas & Co
Douglas, Isle of Man
Introduction
The Isle of Man is centrally situated in the Irish Sea. Measuring 33.5 miles long and
13.5 miles wide, it covers a total area of some 221 square miles. These small dimensions
belie a remarkably capacious island whose population density is low (only 291 people per
square mile and a total population of approximately 66,000), but whose economy is
healthy and well-balanced. Only 1.5 per cent of the population is unemployed.
In the past, the island relied strongly upon the traditional areas of tourism, agriculture, and
fishing for its economic success, but in the last fifteen years through deliberate government
initiative, banking, insurance, and finance have together become the largest single sector in
the Manx economy, accounting for some 25 per cent of the Gross National Product.
The island enjoys excellent communication links with the outside world. There are regular
daily flights from its principal airport to all of the major United Kingdom airports, and
there are daily roll-on, roll-off ferries operating between Douglas (the island’s capital)
and Heysham in the north of England. Telecommunications are highly advanced.
Europe’s first and only offshore freeport is situated on a new purpose-built site adjacent to
the airport on the island, thus allowing imported goods to be stored without incurring
import duties, value added tax, or levies.
Health and social services are taken seriously by the Manx Government. The social security
system that is in operation is similar to that in the United Kingdom, and extensive
benefits are provided. The island’s hospitals are modern, well-equipped, and are staffed
by resident and visiting consultants. High standards of education pervade; in the state sector,
there are thirty-three primary schools and five secondary schools providing excellent
facilities. There is also a College of Further Education which offers a wide range of vocational
courses. Finally, there are two highly respected public schools.
Government
The Court of Tynwald is one of the oldest Parliaments in the world, a body which predates
the Parliament of Simon de Montfort of 1265 by several hundred years.
The Court of Tynwald has two houses; the House of keys and the Legislative Council. The
Upper House is appointed by the elected members of the Keys. The Queen acts in her
sovereign role as Lord ofMann and is represented on the Island by the LieutenantGovernor
Gerard MacQuillan, Philip Conway Thomas & Co, Douglas, Isle of Man