The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland in Northern Europe, with a population of almost 85,000.

The Raad ny Foillan long-distance footpath runs 153 km (95 mi) around the Manx coast.

Average rainfall is high compared to the majority of the British Isles, due to its location to the western side of Great Britain and sufficient distance from Ireland for moisture to be accumulated by the prevailing south-westerly winds.

The highest point in the Isle of Man, Snaefell, is in the northern area and reaches 620 metres (2,034 ft) above sea level.

The northern end of the island is a flat plain, consisting of glacial tills and marine sediments.

There are few severe natural hazards, the most common being high winds, rough seas and dense fog.

The ten Marine Nature Reserves around the Isle of Man cover over 10% of the country's territorial waters, in accordance with international requirements.

[20] In 2023, three existing statutory Eelgrass Conservation Zones were expanded on a voluntary basis (noting that, regardless of this 'voluntary' status, the species is still legally fully protected from reckless disturbance), with a further new site identified.

As of 30 January 2009 this total was 45 wildlife sites, covering about 195 ha of land and an additional 10.5 km (6.5 mi) of inter-tidal coast.

The majority of the island is formed from highly faulted and folded sedimentary rocks of the Ordovician period.

[29] The island has significant deposits of copper, lead and silver, zinc, iron, and plumbago (a mix of graphite and clay).