Before we begin, make sure you read our latest blog on “10 Interesting Facts About Uruguay” for some insightful information.
1. Did you know that an annual motorcycle sport known as The International Isle of Man TT Race has been conducted on the island since 1907? In 1907, the Manx parliament passed a law allowing the roads on Mann to be closed and used for the race. It is considered the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world.
2. Every year the Isle of Man hosts a number of unique festivals. The TT is one of the world’s most dangerous and exciting motorcycle races, whilst the World Tin Bath Championships are certainly one of the weirdest!
3. The Manx is a breed of cat that comes from the Isle of Man, and it’s best known feature is its tail lessness. The breed also exhibits huge hind legs and a rounded head.
4. There also is a breed of sheep from the island called the Manx Loaghtan, which is known for having four or six horns.
5. Mann Has the Oldest Continuous Parliament in the World. The Parliament in Iceland has been around since 930, but it was suspended from 1800 to 1845. San Marino claims to have been a republic since 301, but the same legislative body hasn’t been ruling it that entire time.
6. Whilst visiting the island, you must never mention the word ‘rat’ – it is believed that if you dare to speak the name of the 4 legged rodent you will be burdened with a lifetime of bad luck! Instead, the rodent has been renamed ‘long tail’!
7. Did you know? Isle of Mann has its own language, currency and cat? The 88,000 islanders are Manx (people of the Isle of Man). The Gaelic language and the currency on the island is Manx. The infamous tail-less cat is Manx that stand apart: a genetic mutation brought about the slightly odd-looking tail-less Manx cat.
8. Laxey Wheel, the largest working water wheel in the world, built in the mid 19th century to pump water from local lead mines is located in The Isle of Man. Mining, along with farming and fishing, was a mainstay of the Manx economy in the 19th century, gradually overtaken by tourism as British and Irish visitors discovered the Island’s charms.
9. The Isle of Man Steam Railway dates back to the 1870s and is the longest narrow gauge steam line in Britain still using the original locomotives and carriages.
