- WILLIAM HOGGATT - early 20th Century
- 'Sea Pinks at Derbyhaven.'
- Image courtesy of the Manx National Heritage, National Art Collection.
The Isle of Man
Known as the 'jewel of the Irish Sea', the Isle of Man is equidistant from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Island is a unique self-governing crown dependency with the world's oldest parliament in continuous existence which dates back to A.D. 979.
The Isle of Man is an internationally renowned offshore finance centre with a diverse economy that includes shipping, aerospace and manufacturing, along with more specialised industries such as film and television, telecommunications and e-gaming.
The island is not part of the United Kingdom or European Union however Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession permits trade for Manx goods, which, in conjunction with the Customs and Excise agreement, facilitates free trade with the UK.
The Isle of Man is one of Europe's most successful economies. In the last decade annual growth has averaged 7.4% compared to the European Union average of 2.5% and unemployment is currently 1.5% compared with an average of 8.9% in the 'EU 25'.
