Geography of the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland in Northern Europe, with a population of almost 85,000. It is a British Crown dependency. It has a small islet, the Calf of Man, to its south. It is located at 54°15′N 4°30′W.

Isle of Man
Ellan Vannin (Manx)
Topographic map of the Isle of Man
Isle of Man is located in British Isles
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Geography
LocationNorthwestern Europe
Coordinates54°15′N 4°30′W
ArchipelagoBritish Isles
Adjacent toIrish Sea
Area572 km2 (221 sq mi)
Coastline160 km (99 mi)
Highest elevation621 m (2037 ft)
Highest pointSnaefell
Administration
Largest townDouglas (pop. 23,000)
Demographics
Population79,805 (2006)
Pop. density139.52/km2 (361.36/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsManx

Dimensions
Satellite image

Area:


Land: 571 km2 (220 sq mi; 57,100 ha)
Water: 1 km2 (0.4 sq mi) (100 ha)
Total: 572 km2 (221 sq mi; 57,200 ha)

This makes it:

Coast and territorial sea

The Isle of Man has a coastline of 160 km (99 mi), and a territorial sea extending to a maximum of 12 nm from the coast, or the midpoint between it and other countries. The total territorial sea area is about 4000 km2 or 1500 sq miles, which is about 87% of the total area of the jurisdiction of the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man only holds exclusive fishing rights in the first 3 nm. The territorial sea is managed by the Isle of Man Government Department of Infrastructure.

The Raad ny Foillan long-distance footpath runs 153 km (95 mi) around the Manx coast.

Climate

The Isle of Man enjoys a temperate climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Average rainfall is high compared to the majority of the British Isles, due to its location to the western side of Great Britain and sufficient distance from Ireland for moisture to be accumulated by the prevailing south-westerly winds. Average rainfall is highest at Snaefell, where it is around 1,900 mm (74.8 in) a year. At lower levels it can fall to around 800 mm (31.5 in) a year.

Temperatures remain fairly cool, with the recorded maximum being 28.9 °C (84.0 °F) at Ronaldsway.

Terrain
Main article: Hills and mountains of the Isle of Man
Some of the island's mountainous terrain as viewed from Snaefell, the island's highest peak.
Enlargeable, detailed map of the Isle of Man

The island's terrain is varied. There are two mountainous areas divided by a central valley which runs between Douglas and Peel. The highest point in the Isle of Man, Snaefell, is in the northern area and reaches 620 metres (2,034 ft) above sea level. The northern end of the island is a flat plain, consisting of glacial tills and marine sediments. To the south the island is more hilly, with distinct valleys. There is no land below sea level.

Land use
  • Arable land: 43.86%
  • Permanent crops: 0%
  • Other: 56.14% (includes permanent pastures, forests, mountain and heathland) (2011)

Natural hazards and environmental issues

There are few severe natural hazards, the most common being high winds, rough seas and dense fog. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the frequency of high winds, heavy rains, summer droughts and flooding both from heavy rain and from high seas. Snow fall has decreased significantly over the past century while temperatures are increasing year round with rainfall decreasing.

Air pollution, marine pollution and waste disposal are issues in the Isle of Man.

Protected or recognised sites for nature conservation

In order of importance, international first, non-statutory last. Note that ASSIs and MNRs have equal levels of statutory protection under the Wildlife Act 1990.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
  • The entire territory of the Isle of Man, including all land, sea, freshwater, airspace and seabed is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Ramsar sites
A view up a glen with Snaefell at the head

Designated:

  • Ballaugh Curraghs (2006, 193.4 ha). Has the same boundaries as the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI.

Candidate:

Important Bird Areas

The UK RSPB and UK JNCC have designated five areas of the Isle of Man which are of global significance to birdlife.[3]

  • Isle of Man Sea Cliffs – 97 km of the east and west coasts
  • Calf of Man – 250 ha
  • The Ayres – c. 800ha
  • Ballaugh Curraghs – 374 ha
  • Isle of Man Hills – 8650 ha

National Nature Reserves

Areas of Special Scientific Importance

There are 25 ASSIs on the Isle of Man as of November 2022. One additional ASSI has been designated but later rescinded (Ramsey Estuary). Dates below refer to year of formal confirmation.

  • Ballachurry Meadows (2010, 11.9 ha)
  • Ballacrye Meadow (2005, 0.55 ha)
  • Ballateare Meadow (2014, 0.96 ha)
  • Ballaugh Curraghs (2005, 193.4 ha)
  • Central Ayres (1996, 259.66 ha, extended 2008 by 98.68 ha, total 358.35 ha)
  • Cronk y Bing (2006, 17.71 ha)
  • Cronk y King (2014, extended in 2021 to 3.02 ha)
  • Curragh Pharrick (2022, 4.02 ha)
  • Dalby Coast (2010, 62.1 ha)
  • Dhoon Glen (2007, 20.92 ha)
  • Douglas Head (2022)
  • Eary Vane (2007, 3.96 ha)
  • Glen Maye (2008, 15.92 ha)
  • Glen Rushen (2007, 12.27 ha)
  • Greeba Mountain & Central Hills (2009, 1,080.95 ha)
  • Grenaby Gareys (2021, 74.82 ha)[4]
  • Jurby Airfield (2005, 63.04 ha)
  • Langness, Derbyhaven & Sandwick (2001, 310 ha)
  • Marine Drive (2021, 82.35 ha)
  • Maughold Cliffs & Brooghs (2011, 53.63 ha)
  • Port St Mary Ledges & Kallow Point (2011, 14.79 ha)
  • Poyll Vaaish Coast (2007, 44.76 ha)
  • Ramsey Estuary (designated but later rescinded in 2010; 15.8 ha)
  • Ramsey Mooragh Shore (2006, 2.65 ha)
  • Rosehill Quarry, Billown (2006, 1.37 ha)
  • Santon Gorge & Port Soldrick (2012, 24.35 ha)

Marine Nature Reserves
Further information: Marine nature reserve and Isle of Man

A marine nature reserve was designated in Ramsey Bay in Oct 2011.[5][6] In 2018 nine further Marine Nature Reserves were given statutory protection. The ten Marine Nature Reserves found around the Isle of Man cover over 10% of the country's territorial waters, in accordance with international requirements.[7][8]

Areas of Special Protection
  • Ayres Gravel Pit designated 2001, 41 hectares.[9] In 2019 this became a nature reserve managed by Manx BirdLife.[10]

Bird sanctuaries

Bird sanctuaries were formerly designated by that name under the Wild Birds Protection Act 1932. This designation was superseded by "Areas of Special Protection for Birds" under the Wildlife Act 1990; however the following formerly designated Bird Sanctuaries remain protected:

  • 'Barnell Reservoir (Patrick)' (1979) 0.02 km2[11]
  • 'Tynwald National Park and Arboretum' (1982)[12]
  • 'Derbyhaven, Langness and Fort Island and foreshores adjoining' (1936)[13]
  • 'Renscault and Ballachrink (West Baldwin)' (1978) 0.18 km2[14]
  • 'The Willows (Ballamodha, Malew)' (1984) 0.01 km2[15]

Manx Wildlife Trust Reserves

The Manx Wildlife Trust was founded on 6 March 1973 and (as of May 2023) manages 29 nature reserves, including the Calf of Man which is managed with and on behalf of the Manx National Trust. These reserves total 456.09 ha (1,127.0 acres), or 0.8% of the Isle of Man and include:

NameAcquiredAreaNotes
Aust20164.24 ha (10.5 acres)
Ballachrink20119.97 ha (24.6 acres)Part of the Renscault & Ballachrink Bird Sanctuary
Ballachurry20161.67 ha (4.1 acres)
Ballamooar Meadow1994
Barnell Reservoir1974 & 19841.92 ha (4.7 acres)Part of the Ballamoar Bird Sanctuary (Patrick)
Billown including Rosehill Quarry ASSI20231.66 ha (4.1 acres)Includes Rosehill Quarry ASSI
Breagle Glen and Cronk Aashen1988, 1991 & 20100.88 ha (2.2 acres)
Calf of Man262.34 ha (648.3 acres)Owned by Manx National Trust, managed by Manx Wildlife Trust since 2005. Candidate Ramsar site
Close-e-Quayle1994 & 20033.97 ha (9.8 acres)
Close Sartfield198712.04 ha (29.8 acres)Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site
Close Umpson19950.77 ha (1.9 acres)Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site
Cooildarry1976 & 19798.51 ha (21.0 acres)
Creg-y-Cowin, the trust's largest reserve202343.24 ha (106.8 acres)
Cronk-y-Bing19897.13 ha (17.6 acres)A Area of Special Scientific Interest
Curragh Feeagh19862.33 ha (5.8 acres)
Curragh Kiondroghad (Onchan Wetlands)1988 & 19900.48 ha (1.2 acres)
Dalby Mountain Moorland199528.27 ha (69.9 acres)Candidate Ramsar site
Dalby Mountain Fields19954.26 ha (10.5 acres)
Dobbie's Meadow20134.48 ha (11.1 acres)
Earystane19980.64 ha (1.6 acres)
Fell's Field19981.05 ha (2.6 acres)
Glen Dhoo19959.49 ha (23.5 acres)
Goshen17.63 ha (43.6 acres)Part of Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site
Hairpin Woodland Park2019 & 202216.96 ha (41.9 acres)
Lough Cranstal1989 & 20226.61 ha (16.3 acres)Candidate Ramsar site
Lough Gat-e-Whing20161.81 ha (4.5 acres)
Miss Guyler's Meadow19891.21 ha (3.0 acres)
Moaney & Crawyn's Meadows19950.94 ha (2.3 acres)Part of the Ballaugh Curraghs ASSI and Ramsar Site
Mullen-e-Cloie20081.14 ha (2.8 acres)

Designated Wildlife Sites

The Isle of Man has (as of March 2023) 92 non-statutory 'Wildlife Sites' sites covering 1,230.54 hectares (3,040.7 acres) in addition to the 10.4 km of coastline. As of 30 January 2009 this total was 45 wildlife sites, covering about 195 ha of land and an additional 10.5 km (6.5 mi) of inter-tidal coast. Wildlife Sites are not recognised in law, but are recognised in terms of Government policy, including planning and zonation (by the Isle of Man Strategic Plan) and agricultural policy (under Cross Compliance regulations). Wildlife Sites are shown on the MANNGIS Island Environment map.

Other Nature Reserves
  • Ballalough Reedbeds: 1.4 ha (3.5 acres) managed by Castletown Commissioners
  • Ballanette and Clay Head Brooghs: nature reserve, private but open to the public
  • Snaefell Valley: nature reserve, private but open to the public
  • Manx BirdLife Ayres National Reserve

Manx National Trust Landholdings

The following properties are under the protection of Manx National Heritage:

Geology
Main article: Geology of the Isle of Man

The majority of the island is formed from highly faulted and folded sedimentary rocks of the Ordovician period. There is a belt of younger Silurian rocks along the west coast between Niarbyl and Peel, and a small area of Devonian sandstones around Peel. A band of Carboniferous period rocks underlies part of the northern plain, but is nowhere seen at the surface; however similar age rocks do outcrop in the south between Castletown, Silverdale and Port St Mary. Permo- Triassic age rocks are known to lie beneath the Point of Ayre but, as with the rest of the northern plain, these rocks are concealed by substantial thicknesses of superficial deposits.[16]

The island has significant deposits of copper, lead and silver, zinc, iron, and plumbago (a mix of graphite and clay).[17] There are also quarries of black marble, limestone flags, clay schist, and granite.[18] These are all modern, and there was no noticeable exploitation of metals or minerals prior to the modern era.

Demographics
Aerial view of Douglas and the southern half of the Isle of Man

The island has a census-estimated population of 84,497 according to the most recent 2011 census: up from 79,805 in 2006 and 76,315 in 2001.

The island's largest town and administrative centre is Douglas, whose population is 23,000 – over a quarter of the population of the island. Neighbouring Onchan, Ramsey in the north, Peel in the west and the three southern ports of Castletown, Port Erin and Port St Mary are the island's other main settlements. Almost all its population lives on or very near the coast.

See also

Citations
  1. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS)
  2. Review of existing and potential Ramsar sites in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
  3. RSPB/JNCC (1992) Important Bird Areas in the United Kingdom including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, 540pp
  4. "Isle of Man Government – Grenaby Garey announced as 22nd Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)". gov.im. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. "Re: Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve Zoning Plan" (PDF). Ramsey.gov.im. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  6. "Wildlife Act 1990 Ramsey Bay (Marine Nature Reserve) (Designation) Order 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  7. "Isle of Man Government – Marine Nature Reserves".
  8. "The New Isle of Man 0-3 nm Marine Nature Reserves" (PDF). Isle of Man Government. 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  9. "Statutory Document No. 769/01. WILDLIFE ACT 1990: AYRES GRAVEL PIT (BRIDE) AREA OF SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR BIRDS ORDER 2001" (PDF). tynwald.org.im.
  10. "Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre Reserve – Manx BirdLife".
  11. "Barnell Reservoir (Patrick)".
  12. "Tynwald National Park and Arboretum".
  13. "Derbyhaven, Langness and Fort Island and foreshores adjoining".
  14. "Renscault and Ballachrink (West Baldwin)".
  15. "The Willows (Ballamodha, Malew)".
  16. British Geological Survey 1:50,000 scale Special map sheet Isle of Man BGS 2001
  17. Cumming 1861:27–28 Mines
  18. Cumming 1861:28 Quarries

References
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