Isle of Man's history

History on the autonomous Crown dependency of the Isle of Man stretches back to the dawn of time. When the Celts arrived in around 700 AD people had been living there already for thousands of years. Celtic and other tribes found the strategic location of the isle a favourable spot for trade and fishing and this too attracted the interests of the Vikings who claimed the island for themselves in 850 AD. In 1266 the Norwegian overlord ceded his island territory to Scotland and in the 14th Century the English Crown became the feudal masters. In 1866 the island's autonomy increased and the economy expanded on the back of finance and tourism. The island's Parliament, known as the Tynwald is the world's most ancient having first met in 979. During both WWI and WWII the island's remote location made it a favourable place as an internment camp for enemies and suspected sympathizers.

Right Now

The Isle of Man has never been a part of the United Kingdom or the European Union, however the UK does exercise some control such as in foreign affairs. For more than a century the island has promoted itself as a banking and low tax haven with minimal or no taxes for business and a tax cap for individuals. Recently the island has developed as an on-line gambling venue. With a long history, unique culture and language, rugged coastline, fresh sea air and close proximity to both the UK and Ireland, the Isle of Man has long drawn tourists for cheap and invigorating stays.

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