"MAN, ISLE OF, an island in the Irish Sea, located 32 miles (51 km) east of Ireland, 30 miles (48 km) west of England, and 15 miles (24 km) south of Scotland. The length of the island is 33 miles (53 km) and it is from 6 to 12 miles (10-19 km) wide. It has an area of 221 square miles (572 sq km) and a population of 69,788 (1991). The island’s inhabitants are chiefly English; the Manx, a Celtic people, made up less than half the population in 1991. The island is well watered, the principal streams being the Neb, at Peel, the Sulby, near Ramsey, and the Dhoo and Glass rivers, which form the River Douglas. Mountains extend nearly the length of the island. Financial services--primarily offshore banking, insurance policy writing, and investment fund management--are the mainstay of the island’s economy. Light manufacturing and tourism are also significant. Most of the land is in farms, but farming (mainly cattle and sheep raising) contributes little to the island’s income. In the ninth century the island was conquered by the Norwegians and was a Norwegian naval base. It came under Scottish control in the 13th century. Later, it passed successively to the earls of Derby, the dukes of Atholl, and the Crown. Although the United Kingdom is responsible for defense and foreign relations, and the island is considered a part of the mainland for purposes of customs duties and postal services, it is not a part of the United Kingdom. The Isle has its own legislature, system of local government, laws, and courts. The legislative body is the Court of Tynwald, which consists of the president (who is elected by the court); the Legislative Council, the upper house; and the House of Keys, a 24-member body elected by universal adult suffrage. The laws of the Tynwald require the approval of the Crown. During World War I, the island was used as a place of internment for enemy aliens. During World War II, internment camps for prisoners of war as well as for civilians were established in various parts of the island. Development as an offshore financial center began in the mid-1970’s. The town of Douglas (pop. 1991, 22,214) is the capital of the island."