Isle of Man:
Geography


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 Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

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	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate	temperate; cool summers and mild winters; 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% other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (2002)
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