1. The Manx Parliament - Tynwald - is the oldest continuous parliament in the world and dates back more than 1000 years to the Vikings. The island is still self-governing, although it swears allegiance to the Crown and Her Royal Highness The Queen is Lord of Mann. Each year Parliament meets at ancient Tynwald Hill, a mound of four-tiers built by the Vikings and said to contain soil from each of the 17 island parishes. The July ceremony declares in Manx Gaelic and English, laws passed during the year and hears petitions from Manx citizens.

2. One theory about the island�s name is that it comes from its ruler and protector, Celtic Sea God Manannan. The distinctive Manx emblem dates back to the 13th Century and was originally a symbol of the Sun. The motto, �Quocunque jeceris stabit� means �whichever way you throw me, I shall stand�. Another Manx saying, �Traa dy Liooar� means �time enough� and distinguishes the island from its clock-watching cousins across the water.

3. There are 600 motoring miles on the island which is 33 miles long, 13 miles wide and has 26 beaches around a 100-mile coastline.

4. The Manx Electric Railway, which celebrated its centenary in 1993 was one of the first in the world. Today the original trams still run between Douglas and Ramsey. Horses still pull original trams along Douglas promenade and steam trains whistle their way between Douglas and Port Erin.

5. Quaint traditions litter the Island. For good luck Manxfolk wave at the �little people� who live under the Fairy Bridge near Santon but would not dream of digging up an elderberry bush for fear of disturbing the fairy folk who live in its roots. A cross fashioned from Rowan twigs hung on the back of the door drives away evil spirits and to say �rat� is unlucky. In the Isle of Man they are always �longtails�.

6. Manx culinary specialities include world-famous kippers, real ales and Queenies, a sweet scallop. There is also Manx ice cream and honey, and a breed of four-horned sheep called Loaghtans. The island has its own distillery, Kella Distillery in Sulby which uses a secret process to produce a clear Manx spirit from whisky.

7. Famous residents include veteran comedian Sir Norman Wisdom, TV celebrity chef Kevin Woodford and film actor John Rhys Davies (Indiana Jones, dwarf Gimley in Lord of the Rings) while the Bee Gees were all born on the Isle of Man.

8. The island is a sporting paradise. Nine golf courses mean enthusiasts are never more than 20 minutes away from a round. Other activities include quad-biking, pony trekking, walking - there are 17 National Glens on the Island - bowling, bird-watching, cycling, water sports and fishing.

9. There is a section of road on the island known as Magnetic Hill where cars appear to roll uphill totally unaided.

10. The Gulf Stream in the Irish Sea blesses the island with a temperate climate and in winter there are few frosts, little snow and temperatures remain mild - ideal for golfers!

11. Manx athletes have won medals at the Commonwealth Games. The island is committed to providing sporting opportunities for youngsters and has invested in a new national sports centre providing track and field athletics, tennis, cycling, netball, football, hockey facilities and a swimming complex.

12. A unique industrial heritage is evident today in the form of the Laxey Wheel, the world�s largest working waterwheel of its kind with a diameter of 72 feet six inches and a circumference of 217 feet. The wheel pumped water from the Laxey Mines which thrived during the Industrial Revolution. Laxey means �Salmon River�.

13. The Manx cat is tailless, if not friendless, and its origins are subject to folklore. Legend has it a pair of cats were the last to enter Noah�s Ark. The door was slammed, severing their tails. 14. All tourism accommodation on the Isle of Man is compulsorily inspected and graded - in the UK, inspection is voluntary.

15. The Royal National Life Boat Institution was started in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, who lived overlooking Douglas Bay on the island. In 1832 Sir William laid the first stone of the Douglas Bay Tower of Refuge which was built so that shipwrecked mariners could shelter until storms had passed and lifeboats could reach them.

16. The Isle of Man�s Film Commission has attracted 45 films and television productions starring, among others, Christina Ricci, Richard E. Grant, Julie Andrews and ex-Spice Girl Mel B. Mena Suvari and Colin Firth are currently filming drama �Trauma� on the island.

17. Isle of Man currency is different to the UK�s in appearance, not in value. The island still uses the �1 note. Manx notes can easily be exchanged at UK banks. Manx stamps are different too.

18. Artist Archibald Knox was Manx. Today his designs based on the Celtic Cross are most closely identified with Liberty department store in London.

19. In the 1960s the Isle of Man boasted the only legal casino in the British Isles. Today visitors can enjoy instant membership of the casino at the Isle of Man Hilton Hotel in Douglas.

20. The Isle of Man was the first country in the world to grant women sexual equality, which came to the Isle of Man as early as 1881 when women were given the right to vote.

Further press information from Linda Verrall of Geoff Saltmarsh

Tel: 020 7928 1600 Fax: 020 7928 1700

The Saltmarsh Partnership, The Copperfields, 25 Copperfields Street, London SE1 0EN