Douglas, Isle of Man

Douglas
Capital city
Douglas viewed from Douglas Head
Flag
Douglas is located in Isle of Man
Douglas
Douglas
Location within the Isle of Man
Population26,677 (2021 Census)
OS grid referenceSC379750
Parish City of Douglas
SheadingMiddle
Crown dependencyIsle of Man
Post townISLE OF MAN
Postcode districtIM1 / IM2
Dialling code01624
PoliceIsle of Man
FireIsle of Man
AmbulanceIsle of Man
House of KeysDouglas North
Douglas East
Douglas South
Douglas West
Websitewww.douglas.im/
List of places
Isle of Man
54°09′00″N 04°28′39″W / 54.15000°N 4.47750°W / 54.15000; -4.47750
Photochrom of Loch Promenade during a storm, 1890s
Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglas
Sea terminal in Douglas

Douglas (Manx: Doolish, pronounced [ˈdðuːlʲəʃ]) is the capital city and largest settlement of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,677 (2021) and an area of 4.1 square miles (10.5 km2).[clarification needed] It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and on a sweeping bay of two miles (three kilometres). The River Douglas forms part of the city's harbour and main commercial port.

Douglas was a small settlement until it grew rapidly as a result of links with the English port of Liverpool in the 18th century. Further population growth came in the following century, resulting during the 1860s in a staged transfer of the High Courts, the Lieutenant Governor's residence (actually located in nearby Onchan), and finally the seat of the legislature, Tynwald, to Douglas[1] from the ancient capital, Castletown.

The city is the island's main hub for business, finance, legal services, shipping, transport, shopping, and entertainment. The annual Isle of Man TT motorcycle races start and finish in Douglas.

  1. ^ D. Winterbottom, 2012, Governors of the Isle of Man Since 1765, The Manx Heritage Foundation, p. 73