MONA (the latin name for the Island) is proud of the Isle of Man and its heritage. Our parliament - Tynwald - is reputed to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world - it celebrated its millennium in 1979. In ancient times the Island's location (mid-way between Ireland and England) made it a popular stopping-off point for marauding Vikings and later, a haven for revolutionaries.

Nowadays the Island is a haven from biting taxes. Our tax rate start at 15%, with resident company taxes at a flat 20%. There are no capital taxes on the Island. Overseas residents who channel income through an Isle of Man exempt company will only pay an annual levy of £300, regardless of profits.

The Isle of Man is truly a beautiful place, with scenic glens and a rugged coastline, together with miles of unspoilt sandy beaches. Many visitors like the ability to enjoy almost perfect solitude whilst walking the hills, but this peace is shattered twice a year, during the TT for motorcycles and again for the Grand Prix for less experienced riders. During these weeks (June and September) a 37 mile stretch of the Island's road becomes a race track, as the stars roar around at average speeds of up to 120mph (yes, an average for 37 miles!).

The Island is around 32 miles long from top to bottom, and around 12 at its widest point. 72,000 people live here, speaking English, although Manx Gaelic, unfortunately a dead language, features heavily in place names and on road signs.

If you would like to see some pictures of the Island, we've included a few low-res Gifs for you, but you really should visit. Anyway, here's your taster.

If you'd like to see more stuff about MONA's home, visit our links page with links to lots of other places to visit, including the Isle of Man Government's own exciting pages.