Welcome to Douglas

The capital of the Isle of Man, Douglas is located on the east coast of the island at the mouth of the River Douglas, where it enters the Irish Sea, approximately 290 miles north-west of London and 10 miles south of Ramsey.

The town has a population of around 24,500 and is the seat of the Manx Parliament. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom but rather a self-governing democracy under the Corporation of Douglas. It is however a Crown Dependency.

It is a popular holiday resort with good sandy beaches situated along a wide bay, with its horse-drawn trams being a feature. It is the island's main commercial, retail and tourist centre, and is home to the Tynwald, the ancient Manx Parliament. The famous Tourist Trophy motorcycle races, which are hosted in June, attract visitors from all over the world.

The initial growth and development of the town owed much to its natural harbour, (now the Inner Harbour), since greatly expanded and improved. The burgeoning 'Running Trade' (smuggling) from 1670 to 1765 gave a stimulus for the town to expand. There were later phases of prosperity, the first due to the low cost of living, and favourable legal status enjoyed by English debtors and half pay officers. Later, from around 1870 onwards, the town was transformed into a leading holiday resort. It became the island's capital in 1863 replacing Castletown.

Historically the town's economy was based upon  agriculture and fishing, but today is based upon tourism, offshore banking, light manufacturing, shipping and transport. Douglas is now home to the Offshore Financial Services Industry, as well as the Island's Government.

The town's name comes from the the two rivers - the Dhoo and the Glass, which meet at the town.