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Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between
Great Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 572 sq km
land: 572 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size
of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; temperate; overcast
about one-third of the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m
highest point: Snaefell 621 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 39% (includes 25% mountain and heathland)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: waste disposal (both household
and industrial); transboundary air pollution
Geography - note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies
to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
Background: 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 Celtic language.
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