The Isle of Man or simply Mann is not part of the United Kingdom but is British Crown Dependency. The island's parliament is Tynwald, it dates from AD 979 and is the oldest in the world. Mann is known as tax haven (especially for offshore companies) due to free trade with UK and no corporation tax, stump duty or inheritance tax! Along with the British pound sterling the Isle of Man government issues own currency - the Manx pound.
The Isle of Man probably is best known for ...tail-less cats! This breed is being called the Manx and has something to do with type of genetic mutation.
The best way to see the island is by Manx Electric Railway (complete journey from Douglas) or just continuing from Laxey eastwards along the coastal line to Ramsey - you will have 18 miles of breathtaking scenery! And a ride in some of the world's oldest tramcars (since 19th cent.) is a pleasure that should not be missed!
In Laxey (small village) you can see the Lady Isabella wheel - the largest working waterwheel in the world. It was inaugurated in 1854 and named after Lady Isabella Hope, wife of the island's then Governor. In 1881 powered by a waterwheel the woollen mill was opened and is open for visitors even today. So you can buy some garment, woven from the wool of the Manx sheep (it's very hard wearing and unique in texture). From Laxey take the breathtaking ride on the Snaefell Mountain Railway to the peak of Snaefell (Norse "snow mountain") mountain, which is 2036 feet high. At the viewing platform you can see six kingdoms - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Kingdom of Heaven!
The symbol of island - the Three Legs of Man stands for "Whichever way you throw it, it will stand"
The Lady Isabella wheel in Laxey
My son Alexander on the top of Snaefell in 2003
The ruins of old fortress
