Isle of Man

COUNTRYNAME (orthographic projection)The Isle of Man is a 588 island that is a Crown Dependency of the UK. The site of the 'Norse Kingdom of Mann and the Isles' from 1079, the rights and title to the island were purchased by Britain in 1765.

The Isle of Man has the oldest continuous parliament in the world -- the Tynwald -- founded in 979 CE. The island's culture is heavily influenced by its Celtic and Norse origins and the ancient Manx language is being revived and taught in its schools. The national motto -- represented in the ancient Triskelion -- is Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand

The Isle of Man even has its own breed of cat: The Manx Cat was common on the island three centuries ago, and has been exported to the rest of the world.

Isle of Man on Wikipedia
