Isle of Man: Flag and Facts
The Isle of Man flag shows the Three Legs of Man emblem on a red field, three legs linked at the thigh, each with a bent knee.
- Capital
- Douglas
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Population
- 92,666 (2025)
- Languages
- English, Manx
- Currency
- British pound, Manx pound
- Area
- 572 km² (221 sq mi)
- People
- Manx
- Calling code
- +44
- Highest point
- Snaefell 621 m
- Independence
- none (British Crown dependency)
- National symbols
- triskelion (a motif of three legs)
- Borders
- No land borders
- Status
- Territory (not a sovereign country)
About Isle of Man
That three-legged emblem is called a triskelion, and its roots trace to an old Celtic sun symbol. The flag itself is based on the arms of Magnus III, the final recognized Norse ruler of Mann, whose reign began in 1252. Each side of the flag is made so the toes always point clockwise.
Until the 13th century the island sat inside the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides, and then Scotland took over. English lords came next in the 14th century, and the British Government bought the island in 1765. Today it is a British Crown dependency: self-governing, but not part of the UK, which still handles its defense. Its parliament is called Tynwald, and Tynwald Day falls on 5 July, a date first recorded in 1417. People are working to bring back Manx Gaelic, a language that nearly died out.
Did you know?
- Snaefell, the island's highest point, reaches 621 m above the Irish Sea.
- The Isle of Man covers 572 square kilometers, just over triple the area of Washington, D.C.
- Islanders can pay with either the British pound or the Manx pound.
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Questions about Isle of Man
What is the capital of the Isle of Man?
Douglas is the capital, with about 27,000 people as of 2018.
Is the Isle of Man part of the UK?
No. It is a British Crown dependency that governs itself, while the UK handles its defense and foreign relations.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.