The Isle of Man lies in the Irish Sea, roughly the same distance from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Crown's personal representative today is the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by The Queen and who has delegated power to grant Royal Assent to legislation dealing with domestic matters.

The Government, known as Tynwald, consists of two branches: the Legislative Council (mostly chosen by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (which has 24 elected members).

However, the Crown, acting through the Privy Council, is the ultimate authority, with the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor having prime responsibility as Privy Counsellor for Manx affairs.

The United Kingdom government is responsible for the defence and international relations of the Island.

On 5 July each year Tynwald Court assembles in the open air on Tynwald Hill at St John's. During The Queen's most recent visit in July 2003, Her Majesty presided over the outdoor Tynwald ceremony at St. John's.

The Queen is known in the Isle of Man as Lord of Man.

The Queen has visited the Isle of Man on various occasions, most recently in 2003.

History and background
It has the oldest representative government in the Commonwealth. The legislative system was introduced around 800 AD when the Isle was part of the Norwegian kingdom of the Hebrides.

The original government, the Tynwald, consisted of the King, two advisers, the chief officials and council, and the Keys, which was a representative group 'of the worthiest men in the Island'.

In 1266 the island was ceded to Scotland, and England later acquired it by treaty under Edward I. The lordship of Man was handed over to English lords in return for regular payments to successive monarchs.

From 1405 to 1765 the island was ruled by the Earls of Derby, and later the Dukes of Atholl, as Lords of Man.

The use of the island as a secure base for smugglers became such a problem that, in 1765, the British government gave the island its own legislature but required all customs and taxes to be paid into the British exchequer. The lordship reverted to the Crown, and George III became Lord of Man.