About the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man comprises some 227 square miles and has a population of approximately
80,058 (Isle of Man Census Report 2006). Douglas is the capital of the Island
and is the principal centre for retailing and business. The Island is an internally
self governing dependent territory of the Crown which is not part of the United
Kingdom, however it is an associate member of the European Union under Protocol
III.
Many people associate the Isle of Man with kippers and the Tourist Trophy motor
bike races but more recently it has become recognised as a regulated low tax
area with a strong financial centre.
Douglas
Douglas the Island’s capital is situated on the Eastern side of the Island
and is the largest population centre of some 26,218 persons in 10,835 households
(Isle of Man Census Report 2006).
It is the Island’s legislative centre and centre of commerce with a large
number of companies operating in both the Financial and Professional Sectors
and a substantial part of the Island’s Industrial Sector is centred upon
it. As would be expected from an Island capital it has the usual amenities including
The Manx Museum, The National Sports Centre, tourist attractions such as horse
drawn trams on the Promenade, The Manx Electric Railway, the Manx Steam Railway
and is the Island’s main port and ferry terminal. A substantial part of
the harbour has been developed into a marina for local and visiting pleasure
craft.
Athertons offices are easily accessible within the centre of Douglas enabling
them to provide all island coverage.
Ramsey
Ramsey the Island’s second town is located approximately fourteen miles
to the North of Douglas on the Island’s Eastern side with a resident population
of approximately 7,309 persons in 3,253 household (Isle of Man Census Report
2006). Residents of Ramsey claim they have the best weather on the Island, it
has a small retail and professional sector, a port and lies at the northern
end of the Isle of Man TT circuit.
Peel
The City of Peel is located on the Western side of the Island some fourteen
miles to the West of Douglas and has a residential population of approximately
4,208 persons in 1,807 households (Isle of Man Census Report 2006). Peel has
many attractions including its harbour guarded by Peel Castle, St German’s
Cathedral, The House of Manannan Museum and a sandy beach. The inner harbour
is currently being developed into a marina.
Castletown
Castletown is situated on the eastern coast of the Isle of Man approximately
ten miles from Douglas and within one and half miles of Ronaldsway the island’s
airport which has direct flights to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool,
the Channel Islands, Dublin etc. It has a resident population of approximately
3,030 persons in 1,291 households (Isle of Man Census Report 2006). Historically
it was the island’s legislative centre, has a small retail, financial
and professional centre and is dominated by Castle Rushen, a Medieval Castle
overlooking the picturesque harbour.
Other towns and villages of note
On the East Coast, Laxey approximately mid-way between Douglas and Ramsey and
is the home of Lady Isabella, the Laxey Wheel, has a small harbour and pebble
beach. On the West Coast, again approximately midway between Peel and Ramsey
on the TT circuit is the village of Kirk Michael and in the South the towns
of Port Erin and Port St Mary each with their own bay and harbour and the usual
amenities.
