Man, Isle of, is an island in the Irish Sea. It is a dependency of the British Crown and lies about halfway between England and Ireland and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Scotland. The island has an area of 221 square miles (572 square kilometers) and a population of about 78,000. Most people have Celtic ancestry, and a few speak a Celtic language called Manx as well as English. A breed of cats called Manx, most of which have no tail, originated on the island.
The Isle of Man is a popular summer resort for the people of the United Kingdom. An international motorcycle race, held each June, is a major attraction of the island. In addition to tourism, important industries include agriculture and fishing. In 1961, the Isle of Man greatly lowered its taxes on individuals and companies. The low taxes helped attract new residents and industries.
The Isle of Man was ruled at various times by Ireland, Wales, Norway, Scotland, and England. Great Britain (now the United Kingdom) bought the Isle of Man from local rulers in 1765 and has controlled it ever since. However, British laws do not apply to the Isle of Man unless they specifically name the island. A British lieutenant governor represents the United Kingdom on the island. A 1,000-year-old parliament called Tynwald Court regulates internal affairs.
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