About the Isle of Man
Douglas is the retail, commercial and entertainment hub of the Island with many visitor attractions including the Douglas horse tram service, the oldest such service in the northern hemisphere now in its 134th season and running every summer seven days a week along the promenade. Douglas is also home to the Gaiety Theatre, one of the best preserved Victorian theatres in the British Isles, and to the Manx Museum whose Story of Mann provides vivid interactive displays that bring alive the fascinating history and heritage of an Island with the oldest (more than 1000 years) parliament in the world in continuous existence.
National Heritage Cards can be used on the Island.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway departs from Douglas for the south of the Island, while the Manx Electric Railway leaves the capital and heads out to Laxey and Ramsey in north, both these vintage transport methods providing breathtaking country and coastal views.
Isle of Man – key facts
- Situated in the Irish Sea, midway 50kms (31 miles) between Ireland and England
- Capital - Douglas
- Land area - 572 sq km, 227 sq miles
- Longest river – Sulby, 17kms, 10.5 miles
- Highest peak - Snaefell, (‘Snow Mountain’) 621 metres, 2036 feet
- Head of State - The Queen, represented by the Lieutenant Governor
- Issues its own stamps which must be used for mail sent from the Island
- Issues its own coins and notes but currency value equivalent to that of the UK
- Manx currency is not legal tender outside the Island, but UK clearing banks accept Manx notes at face value
- Host nation for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games