World Factbook
Isle of Man
Ellan Vannin
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion) in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; a two-sided emblem is used to allow the toes to point clockwise on both sides of the flag history: the flag is based on the coat of arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, MAGNUS III (r. 1252-65); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun symbol
Capital
name
Douglas
etymology
the name comes from the Gaelic name Dubhghlais , or "black stream," referring to a nearby river; a second river was called Fionnghlais , or "white stream;" both river names were later shortened to Dhoo and Glass, respectively, which coincidentally comprised the elements of the town's name
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
54 09 N, 4 29 W
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century
amendment process
proposed as a bill in the House of Keys, by the "Government," by a "Member of the House," or through petition to the House or Legislative Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown
Country name
etymology
the name "man" may be derived from the Gaelic word for "mountain;" the local name is from the words ellan , or "island," and Vannin, a form of the name Mannan
abbreviation
I.O.M.
local long form
Ellan Vannin
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Isle of Man
Independence
none (British Crown dependency)
Legal system
UK laws apply, as well as Manx statutes
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery (not formally part of the High Court but is administered as such) deals with serious criminal cases
subordinate courts
High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts
judge selection and term of office
deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor
chief of state
Lord of Mann King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John LORIMER (since 29 September 2021)
election results
2021: Alfred CANNAN (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 of 24 2016: Howard QUAYLE elected chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 of 33
head of government
Chief Minister Alfred CANNAN (since 12 October 2021)
most recent election date
23 September 2021
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term)
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Tynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded
Dependency status
British crown dependency
National color(s)
red, white
Political parties
Green Party Liberal Vannin Party or LVP Manx Labor Party
note: most members sit as independents
Legislative branch
note
note: Legislative Council includes the President of Tynwald, 2 non-voting members (the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general), and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys
legislature name
Tynwald (High Court of Tynwald)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a British Crown dependency; played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
triskelion (a motif of three legs)
National coat of arms
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom granted the Isle of Man’s coat of arms on July 12, 1996; the triskelion (three conjoined legs) on the shield represents resilience, resourcefulness, and hope; the Latin motto means “Wherever you throw it, it will stand,” a reference to the islanders’ ability to stand strong; the peregrine falcon represents the two falcons that the Isle of Man has paid to the UK monarch on Coronation Day since 1406, and the raven symbolizes the island’s former status as a Viking colony; the crown represents the UK monarch’s status as the Lord of Mann, although the island is self-governing
Administrative divisions
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 24 local authorities each hold elections
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Keys
term in office
5 years
number of seats
24 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/23/2021
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
40%
parties elected and seats per party
independent (21); Manx Labour Party (2); Liberal Vannin (1)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Legislative Council
term in office
4 years
number of seats
11 (3 appointed, 8 indirectly elected)
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
3/14/2023
expected date of next election
March 2028
percentage of women in chamber
36.4%
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (British crown dependency)
International organization participation
UPU