Isle of Wight
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{{Infobox England county
| name = Isle of Wight
| image = [[Image:Isle of Wight flag.svg|150px]]
| motto = All this beauty is of God
| map = [[Image:EnglandIsleWight.png]]
| status = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial]] & [[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England|Non-metropolitan]]/[[Unitary authority|Unitary]] county
| origin =
| region = [[South East England]]
| arearank = [[List of Ceremonial counties of England by Area|Ranked 46th]]
| area_km2 = 380
| adminarearank =
| adminarea_km2 =
| adminhq = [[Newport, Isle of Wight|Newport]]
| iso = GB-IOW
| ons = 00MW
| nuts3 = UKG11
| poprank = [[List of ceremonial counties of England by population|Ranked {{English cerem counties|RNK=IOW}}]]
| popestdate = {{English statistics year}}
| pop = {{English cerem counties|POP=IOW}}140,000
| density_km2 = {{English cerem counties|DEN=IOW}}368
| adminpoprank = [[List of non-metropolitan counties of England by population|Ranked {{English admin counties|RNK=IOW}}]]
| adminpop = {{English admin counties|POP=IOW}}
| ethnicity<ref>[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276857&c=isle+of+wight&d=13&e=13&g=412579&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1207137785014&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812 Resident Population Estimates by Ethnic Group (Percentages)]</ref>: = 97.0% White<br>1.0% S.Asian
| council = Conservative
| exec = {{English county control|CTY=IOW}}
| mps = *[[Andrew Turner (politician)|Andrew Turner]] [[Conservative Party (UK)|(C)]]
}}
The '''Isle of Wight''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[island]] and [[Counties of England|county]] in the [[English Channel]] between three and five miles from the south coast of [[Great Britain]]. It is situated south of the county of [[Hampshire]] and is separated from mainland England by the [[Solent]]. Popular since [[Victorian Era|Victorian times]] as a holiday resort, the Isle of Wight is known for its natural beauty and for its world-famous [[sailing]] based in [[Cowes]].
The Island has a rich history including its own brief status as a nominally independent kingdom in the [[fifteenth century]]. It was home to the poet [[Alfred Lord Tennyson]], and [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] built her much loved summer residence and final home [[Osborne House]] at [[East Cowes]]. The Island's maritime and industrial history encompasses boat building, sail making, the manufacture of [[flying boat]]s, the world's first [[hovercraft]] and the testing and development of British space rockets. It is home to the [[Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival]], [[Bestival]] and the recently revived [[Isle of Wight Festival]], which, in 1970, was one of the largest [[rock music]] events ever held.<ref>[http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/redfunnel/musicfestival/popups/history.html Isle of Wight Festival history]</ref> The island has some exceptional wildlife and is also one of the richest [[fossil]] locations for [[dinosaur]]s in [[Europe]].
The island has in the past been part of [[Hampshire]], however it became an independent [[Administrative counties of England|administrative county]] (although still sharing the [[Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire]]) in [[1890]]. In 1974 it was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan and [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] with its own [[Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight|Lord Lieutenant]] and the name was adopted as a [[Postal counties of the United Kingdom|postal county]]. The island is the smallest ceremonial county in [[England]] at high [[tide]], but its land area at low tide is larger than [[Rutland]]'s.<ref>Episode 10, Series E, [[QI]]</ref><ref>[http://www.home.co.uk/guides/news/story.htm?glorious_isle_has_the_wight_stuff Glorious Isle has the Wight stuff] Home.co.uk</ref> With a single [[Member of Parliament]] and 132,731 permanent residents according to the 2001 [[census]], it is also the most populated [[List of Parliamentary constituencies in the United Kingdom|Parliamentary constituency]] in the [[United Kingdom]].
== History ==
{{main|History of the Isle of Wight}}
===Early history===
The Isle of Wight is first mentioned in writing in ''[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geography]]'' by [[Claudius Ptolemaeus]].
At the end of the Roman Empire the island of Vectis became a Jutish kingdom ruled by King [[Stuf]] and his successors until AD 661 when it was invaded by Wulfhere of [[Mercia]] and forcibly converted to Christianity at sword point. When he left for Mercia the Islanders reverted to paganism.
In AD 685 it was invaded by [[Caedwalla of Wessex]] and can be considered to have become part of Wessex. Following the accession of West Saxon kings as kings of all [[England]], it then became part of England. The island became part of the [[shire]] of [[Hampshire]] and was divided into [[hundred (country subdivision)|hundreds]] as was the norm.
In 686, it became the last part of England to convert to [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://freespace.virgin.net/iw.history/archive/newsjul5.htm#news ''Saxon Graves at Shalfleet''], Isle of Wight History Centre, August, 2005</ref><ref>[http://www.britannia.com/history/narsaxhist.html ''England, A Narrative History'', Peter N. Williams]</ref><ref>[http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=church&book=english&story=christian ''The English Accept Christianity''], The Story of England, Samuel B. Harding</ref>
The Island suffered especially from the [[Vikings]]. [[Alfred the Great]]'s navy defeated the Danes in 871 after they had "ravaged Devon and the Isle of Wight".
[[Image:Charles I memorial.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Memorial to [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] at [[Carisbrooke Castle]]]]
===Middle ages===
The [[Norman Conquest]] created the position of [[Lord of the Isle of Wight]]. [[Carisbrooke Priory]] and the fort of [[Carisbrooke Castle]] were founded. The Island did not come under full control of the Crown until it was sold by the dying last Norman Lord, Lady [[Isabella de Fortibus]], to [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] in 1293.
The Lordship thereafter became a Royal appointment, with a brief interruption when [[Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick]] was in 1444 crowned King of the Isle of Wight<ref>[http://vision.edina.ac.uk/text/chap_page.jsp?t_id=Camden&c_id=20&p_id=73 William Camden, Britain, or, a Chorographicall Description of the most flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland (London, 1610)]</ref>, with [[Henry VI of England|King Henry VI]] assisting in person at the ceremony, placing the crown on his head. With no male heir, the regal title expired on the death of Henry de Beauchamp.
[[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], who developed the [[Royal Navy]] and its permanent base at [[Portsmouth]], fortified the Island at [[Yarmouth]], East & West Cowes and [[Sandown]]. Much later, after the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588, the threat of Spanish attacks remained and the outer fortifications of Carisbrooke Castle were built between 1597 and 1602.
===Civil war===
During the [[English Civil War]] [[Charles I of England|King Charles]] fled to the Isle of Wight, believing he would receive sympathy from the governor, Robert Hammond. Hammond was appalled, and incarcerated the king in Carisbrooke Castle.
[[Image:Osborne-house1.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Osborne House]] and its grounds are now open to the public]]
===Queen Victoria===
[[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] made [[Osborne House]] on the Isle of Wight her summer home for many years and, as a result, it became a major holiday resort for fashionable Victorians including [[Alfred Lord Tennyson]], [[Julia Margaret Cameron]], [[Charles Dickens]] and members of European royalty.
During her reign, in 1897, the world's first [[radio]] station<ref>[http://www.connected-earth.com/Galleries/Telecommunicationsage/Awirelessworld/Theoriginsofradio/index.htm Connected Earth: The origins of radio<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> was set up by [[Guglielmo Marconi|Marconi]], at the [[The Needles|Needles]] battery, at the western tip of the Island.
===Modern history===
During the Second World War the Island was frequently bombed. With its proximity to France the Island also had a number of observation stations and transmitters, and was the starting-point for one of the earlier [[Operation Pluto]] pipelines to feed fuel to the Normandy landings.
The [[The Needles|Needles]] battery was used as the site for testing and development of the [[Black Arrow]] and [[Black Knight (rocket)|Black Knight]] space rockets, subsequently launched from [[Woomera Test Facility|Woomera]], [[Australia]].
The [[Isle of Wight Festival]] was a very large [[Isle of Wight Festival|rock festival]] that took place near [[Afton Down]], West Wight in 1970, following two smaller concerts in 1968 and 1969. The 1970 show was notable both for being one of the last public performances by [[Jimi Hendrix]] and for the number of attendees reaching, by many estimates, 600,000<ref>[http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=32552 Movies]</ref>. The Festival was revived in 2002 and is now an annual event.
== Physical geography and wildlife ==
[[Image:Wight9265.png|thumb|200px|Isle of Wight map.]]
Isle of Wight is approximately diamond in shape and covers an area of 380 km<sup>2</sup> (147 sq mi). Slightly more than half of the Island, mainly in the west of the Island, is designated as the [[Isle of Wight AONB|Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. The Island has 258 km<sup>2</sup> (99.6 sq mi) of farmland, 52 km<sup>2</sup> (20 sq mi) of developed areas, and 92 km (57 mi) of coastline. The landscape of the Island is remarkably diverse, leading to its oft-quoted description of "England in Miniature". The West Wight is predominantly rural, with dramatic coastlines dominated by the famous chalk [[downland]] ridge, running across the whole Island and ending in [[The Needles]] stacks — perhaps the most photographed aspect of the Isle of Wight. The highest point on the Island is [[St Boniface Down]], at 241 m (791 ft), which is also a [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]].
[[Image:Isle of Wight coastline.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The famous view at [[The Needles]] and [[Alum Bay]].]]
The rest of the Island landscape also has great diversity, with perhaps the most notable habitats being the soft cliffs and sea ledges, which are spectacular features as well as being very important for wildlife, and are internationally protected. The [[River Medina]] flows north into the [[Solent]], whilst the other main river, the [[Eastern Yar (river), Isle of Wight|River Yar]] flows roughly north-east, emerging at [[Bembridge]] Harbour on the eastern end of the Island. Confusingly, there is another entirely separate river at the western end also called the [[Western Yar (river), Isle of Wight|River Yar]] flowing the short distance from [[Freshwater, Isle of Wight|Freshwater]] Bay to a relatively large estuary at [[Yarmouth, Isle of Wight|Yarmouth]]. Where distinguishing the two becomes necessary, each may be referred to as the ''eastern'' or ''western'' Yar.
The south coast of the Island borders the [[English Channel]]. Without man's intervention the Island may well have been split into three with the sea breaking through 1) at the west end of the Island where a bank of pebbles separates [[Freshwater Bay]] from the marshy backwaters of the Western Yar east of Freshwater, and 2) at the east end of the Island where a thin strip of land separates Sandown Bay from the marshy basin of the Eastern Yar, east of Sandown. Yarmouth itself was effectively an island with water on all sides and only connected to the rest of the Island by a regularly breached neck of land immediately east of the town.
Island wildlife is remarkable, and it is one of the few places in England where the [[red squirrel]] is flourishing, with a stable population ([[Brownsea Island]] is another). Unlike most of England, no [[grey squirrel]]s are to be found on the Island<ref>[http://www.iwight.com/living_here/environment/operation_squirrel.asp Operation Squirrel]</ref>, nor are there any wild [[deer]] but, instead, rare and protected species, such as the [[dormouse]] and many rare [[bat]]s, can be found. The [[Glanville Fritillary]] butterfly's distribution in the [[United Kingdom]] is largely restricted to the edges of the crumbling cliffs of the Isle of Wight.
A competition in 2002 named the [[Pyramidal Orchid]] as the Isle of Wight's [[county flower]].<ref>http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-discovering-plants-county-flowers.html Plantlife: County flowers</ref>.
The Island is known as one of the most important areas in Europe for finding [[dinosaur]] fossils. The eroding cliffs also assist hidden remains to become more visible.
=== Climate ===
Being one of the most southerly points in the UK, the Isle of Wight has a warmer climate than other areas which results in high numbers of holiday-makers, particularly along the south of the island. It also has a longer growing season than other areas in the UK.<ref>http://uk.weather.com/weather/climatology/UKXX1881 Isle of Wight Climate Statistics</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! June
! July
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
|-
| Avg High (°C)
| 8
| 8
| 10
| 13
| 16
| 19
| 22
| 21
| 19
| 15
| 11
| 9
|-
| Avg Min (°C)
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 3
| 7
| 9
| 11
| 11
| 9
| 7
| 3
| 2
|-
| Mean (°C)
| 4
| 4
| 6
| 8
| 11
| 14
| 16
| 16
| 14
| 11
| 7
| 5
|-
| Avg Precip (mm)
| 89
| 61
| 66
| 48
| 56
| 53
| 41
| 56
| 66
| 79
| 84
| 89
|}
== Geology ==
[[Image:Blackgang Chine c1910 - Project Gutenberg eText 17296.jpg|thumb|[[Blackgang Chine]] circa 1910]]
The Isle of Wight is made up from a wide variety of different rock types which date from Early [[Cretaceous]] times (around 127 million years ago) to the middle of the [[Palaeogene]] (around 30 million years ago). All the rocks found on the Island are [[sedimentary]], made up of mineral grains from previously existing rocks. These are all consolidated to form the rocks that can be seen on the Island today, such as [[limestone]], [[mudstone]] and [[sandstone]]. Rocks on the Island are very rich in fossils and many of these can be seen exposed on the beaches as the cliffs erode.
Cretaceous rocks, normally red, show that the climate was previously hot and dry. This provided suitable living conditions for [[dinosaur]]s. Dinosaur bones and footprints can be seen around the Island along beaches, especially at [[Yaverland]] and [[Compton Bay]].
Along the northern coast of the Island there is a rich source of fossilised shellfish, [[crocodiles]], turtles and mammal bones. The youngest of these dates back to around 30 million years ago.
The Island is mainly made up of [[Tertiary]] clays, in most of the northern parts of the Island, limestone, upper and lower [[greensand]]s, [[wealden]] and [[chalk]].
[[Image:Looking west from Shanklin chine.JPG|thumb|View west from Shanklin Chine]]
== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of the Isle of Wight}}
[[Image:Buttersworth - flying cloud.jpg|thumb|300px|right|''The Clipper Ship "Flying Cloud" off the Needles, Isle of Wight'', by [[James E. Buttersworth]], 1859-60.]]
The Isle of Wight is a [[ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial]] and [[metropolitan and non-metropolitan county|non-metropolitan]] county. Since the abolition of its two [[borough]] councils in [[1995]] and the restructuring of the county council as the [[Isle of Wight Council]], it has been a [[unitary authority|unitary]] county. It is unique in England in this way — all other unitary areas are single districts with no county council, while the Isle of Wight is the other way round. It also has a single [[Member of Parliament]], and is by far the most populous [[Isle of Wight (UK Parliament constituency)|constituency]] in the United Kingdom (more than 50% above the average of English constituencies).
As a constituency of the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], it is traditionally a battleground between the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] and the [[Liberal Democrats]]. The current MP, [[Andrew Turner (politician)|Andrew Turner]] is a Conservative, and his predecessor Dr [[Peter Brand]] was a Liberal Democrat.
The [[Isle of Wight Council]] election of 2005 was a landslide victory for the Conservative Party, displacing the long serving "Island First" group, a coalition of [[Liberal Democrats]] and independents.
There has been a minor regionalist movement, in the form of the [[Vectis National Party]] and [[Isle of Wight Party]], but this has generally performed badly in elections.
== Demographics ==
From the census taken in 2001, the island's population was at 132,731. This shows a change of 5.4% since the last census in 1991 which is a higher increase than the average for the UK at 2.6%. The mean age of people from the island is 43.19. This is higher than the national average of 38.65.
From the 2001 census data, the population on the Isle of Wight by age group is:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Age Group || United Kingdom || Isle of Wight UA
|-
| Total || 58,789,194 || 132,719
|-
| 0-4 || 3,486,469 || 6,437
|-
| 5-9 || 3,738,160 || 7,604
|-
| 10-14 || 3,880,609 || 8,459
|-
| 15-19 || 3,663,899 || 7,417
|-
| 20-24 || 3,546,151 || 5,564
|-
| 25-29 || 3,867,115 || 6,155
|-
| 30-34 || 4,493,585 || 8,084
|-
| 35-39 || 4,625,810 || 8,746
|-
| 40-44 || 4,151,580 || 8,448
|-
| 45-49 || 3,735,964 || 8,399
|-
| 50-54 || 4,040,437 || 10,133
|-
| 55-59 || 3,338,861 || 9,619
|-
| 60-64 || 2,879,948 || 7,951
|-
| 65-69 || 2,596,843 || 7,441
|-
| 70-74 || 2,339,231 || 7,085
|-
| 75-79 || 1,966,929 || 6,445
|-
| 80-84 || 1,313,547 || 4,524
|-
| 85-89 || 752,787 || 2,750
|-
| 90+ || 371,269 || 1,458
|}
<ref>[http://www.iow.gov.uk/isle_working/statistics/population/2001_census.asp Population 2001 census data]</ref>
The lack of a university on the island causes many younger people to leave for higher education. The Isle of Wight is also considered an attractive place for many people to retire, due to the perception that it is more peaceful than the rest of the UK. This results in a higher proportion of older people.
The most popular religion on the island is [[Christianity]], with 73.72%, however this census question was optional and 7.89% did not wish to state a religion.
== Main towns ==
{{Main|List of places on the Isle of Wight}}
*[[Newport, Isle of Wight|Newport]], the island's second largest town, located in the centre of the island, is the county town of the Isle of Wight and is the island's main shopping area. Recent developments include a new bus station with retail complex and a new retail park on the outskirts. Located next to the [[River Medina]], Newport Quay was once a busy port until the mid-19th century, but has now been mainly converted into art galleries, apartments and other meeting places.
*[[Ryde]], the Island's largest town with a population of around 30,000, is located in the north east of the Island. It is a [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] town with a half-mile long pier and four miles of beaches, attracting many tourists each year.
*[[Cowes]] is the location of [[Cowes Week]] every year and a popular international sailing centre. It is also the home of the record setting sailor Dame [[Ellen MacArthur]].
*[[Sandown]] is another seaside resort, attracting many tourists each year. It is also home to the [[Isle of Wight Zoo]] and [[Dinosaur Isle]] geological museum, and one of the island's two 18 hole golf courses.
*[[Shanklin]] just south of Sandown, also attracts tourists by its sandy beaches. Its main attractions are Shanklin Chine and the old village.
*[[Ventnor]] is built upon the steep slopes of St Boniface Down on the south coast of the Island and leads down to a picturesque bay which attracts many tourists. Recent developments include Ventnor Haven, a small harbour built around a Victorian-style bandstand.
[[Image:IOWight-Braiding-Church-Graveyard.jpg|thumb|300px|right|''Graveyard on the grounds of the church in the town of Brading, Isle of Wight'']]
The Isle of Wight has no cities. In addition to the above, there are smaller towns along the coasts - particularly on the east side of the Island. As well as the towns, the island has many smaller villages. Some of these (for example, [[Godshill]]) also attract many tourists.
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of the Isle of Wight}}
=== Language and dialect ===
The distinctive Isle of Wight accent is a somewhat stronger version of the traditional [[Hampshire]] [[dialect]], featuring the dropping of some [[consonant]]s and an emphasis on longer [[vowel]]s. This is similar to the [[West Country dialects]] heard in Southwestern England, but less removed in sound from the [[Estuary English]] of the Southeast. In common with many other English regional dialects and accents, a strong Island accent is not now commonly heard, and, as speakers tend to be older, this decline is likely to continue.
The Island also has its own local and regional words. Some words, including ''grockle'' (visitor) and ''nipper/nips'' (a younger male person), are still commonly used and are shared with neighbouring areas. A few are unique to the Island, for example ''overner'' (a mainlander who has settled on the Island) and ''caulkhead'' (someone born on the Island or, for sticklers, those born there from long-established Island stock). Other words are more obscure and used now mainly for comic emphasis, such as ''mallishag'' (meaning [[caterpillar]]) and ''nammit'' ("noon-meat", meaning food). Some other words are "gurt" as in large or great, also "gallybagger" as in scarecrow.<ref>{{cite book | first=Jack | last=Lavers | year=1988 | title=The Dictionary of the Isle of Wight Dialect | publisher=Dovecote Press | id=ISBN 0-946159-63-7}}</ref>.
=== Sport ===
[[Cowes]] is a world-famous centre for [[sailing]], playing host to several racing [[regatta]]s. [[Cowes Week]] is the longest-running regular regatta in the world, with over 1,000 yachts and 8,500 competitors taking part in over 50 classes of yacht racing<ref>[http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk/web/code/php/main.php?section=home Skandia Cowes Week 2008 - Welcome<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
In [[1851]] the first [[America's Cup]] race took place around the Island. Other major sailing events hosted in Cowes include the [[Fastnet race]], the [[Round the Island Race]]<ref>[http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the [[Admiral's Cup]], and the [[Commodore's Cup]]<ref>[http://www.rorc.org/comcup/ Rolex Commodores' Cup - Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
The Isle of Wight Marathon is the United Kingdom's oldest continuously held marathon, having been run every year since 1957.<ref>[http://www.rydeharriers.co.uk/Marinfo.htm Isle Of Wight Marathon Race<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The course starts in Ryde, passing through Newport, Shanklin and Sandown, before finishing back in Ryde. It is an undulating course with a total climb of 1,505 feet.
The Island is home to the Isle of Wight Islanders Speedway team, who compete in the sport's second division, the 'Premier League'. The club was founded in 1996, with a first-night attendance of 1740. The Island is also home to the [[Wightlink Raiders]], an ice hockey team based at Ryde Arena. They compete in the English Premier League, the 2nd Division in the country. There is also an ENL team, Vectis Warriors, also based at Ryde Arena.
The Isle of Wight Hockey Club run three senior teams and a junior side, with the 1st XI competing in Hampshire's top division, just one below the regional leagues. The Island also has a ladies team - the Vectis Ladies - which is a separate organisation to the IW Hockey Club. Ventnor Middle School on the Isle of Wight runs a successful hockey set-up, producing a number of players who have since gone on to play at high standards.
The now-disbanded [[Ryde Sports F.C.]] was founded in 1888 and became one of the eight founder members of the [[Hampshire League]] in 1896. There are several other non-league clubs such as [[Newport (IW) F.C.]] There is an [[Isle of Wight Saturday Football League]] with three divisions, and a [[rugby union]] club<ref>[http://www.iwrfc.co.uk/ Isle Of Wight Rugby Football Club<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, plus various other sporting teams <ref>http://www.solent.tv/sports.aspx</ref>. [[Beach football]] is particularly prevalent on the Island and has several of the nation's premier clubs with almost all of the England Beach Soccer team made up from players from the Island.
The Isle of Wight competes in the bi-annual [[International Island Games Association|Island Games]], which it hosted in 1993. The Isle of Wight will host these games again in 2011.
=== Music ===
The Isle of Wight is also the home of the band "[[The Bees]]". Recently they have been having more national success and often perform at smaller concerts on the island. The Isle of Wight is also home to the [[Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival]], the [[Isle of Wight Festival]] and the [[Bestival]].
== Economy ==
[[Image:Wight.png|250px|right|thumb|A satellite photograph of the Isle of Wight and the [[Solent]].]]
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added by the Isle of Wight economy at current basic prices by the ''[[Office for National Statistics]]'' with figures in millions of [[Pounds]].<ref>[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] (pp.240-253) </ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Regional Gross Value Added<ref name="fn_4">Components may not sum to totals due to rounding</ref> || Agriculture<ref name="fn_1">includes hunting and forestry</ref> || Industry<ref name="fn_2">includes energy and construction</ref> || Services<ref name="fn_3">includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured</ref>
|-
| 1995 || '''831''' || 28 || 218 || 585
|-
| 2000 || '''1,202''' || 27 || 375 || 800
|-
| 2003 || '''1,491''' || 42 || 288 || 1,161
|}
=== Industry and agriculture ===
The largest industry on the Isle of Wight is tourism, but the Island has a strong agricultural heritage, including sheep and dairy farming and the growing of arable crops. Traditional agricultural commodities are more difficult to market off the Island because of transport costs, but Island farmers have managed successfully to exploit some specialist markets. The high price of these products overcomes the transport costs. One of the most successful agricultural sectors at present is the growing of crops under cover, particularly salad crops, including tomatoes and cucumbers. The Isle of Wight has a longer growing season than much of the [[United Kingdom]] and this also favours such crops. [[Garlic]] has been successfully grown in [[Newchurch, Isle of Wight|Newchurch]] for many years, and is even exported to [[France]]. This has led to the establishment of an annual [[Garlic Festival]] at Newchurch, which is one of the largest events of the Island's annual calendar. The favourable climate has led to the success of [[vineyard]]s, including one of the oldest in the British Isles, at [[Adgestone]] near [[Sandown]].<ref>[http://www.english-wine.co.uk/ English Wine - Wine for Sale - Vineyard Tours, Isle of Wight<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Lavender]] is also grown for its oil.<ref>[http://www.lavender.co.uk/ Isle of Wight lavender farm, lavender products, lavender plants, teas<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The largest sector of agriculture has been dairying, but due to low milk prices, and strict UK legislation for UK milk producers, the dairy industry has declined. There were nearly one-hundred and fifty dairy producers of various sizes in the mid-eighties, but this has now dwindled down to just twenty-four.
The making of sailcloth, boats and other connected maritime industry has long been associated with the Island, although this has somewhat diminished in recent years. [[Cowes]] is still home to various small marine-related companies such as [[boat building|boat-builders]].
Although they have reduced the extent of the plants and workforce, including the sale of the main site, [[GKN plc|GKN]] operates what was once the [[British Hovercraft Corporation]] a subsidiary of, and known latterly, when manufacturing focus changed, as [[Westland Aircraft]]. Prior to its purchase by Westland, it was the independent company known as [[Saunders-Roe]]. It remains one of the most notable historic firms, having produced many of the [[flying boats]], and the world's first [[hovercraft]].
The Island's major manufacturing activity today is in [[composite material]]s, used by boat-builders and the [[wind turbine]] manufacturer [[Vestas]], which has a wind turbine blade factory and testing facilities in [[Newport, Isle of Wight|Newport]] and [[East Cowes]].
[[Bembridge Airport|Bembridge Airfield]] is the home of [[Britten-Norman]], manufacturers of the world-famous [[Britten-Norman Islander|Islander]] and [[Britten-Norman Trislander|Trislander]] aircraft. This is shortly to become the site of the European assembly line for [[Cirrus Design|Cirrus]] light aircraft. The Norman Aeroplane Company is a smaller aircraft manufacturing company operating in [[Sandown]]. There are have been 3 other aircraft manufacturers that built planes on the Island.<ref>[http://daveg4otu.tripod.com/iowweb/iow.html A list of aircraft and airplane manufacturers as well as airfields on the Isle of Wight]</ref>
In 2005, [[Northern Petroleum]] began exploratory drilling for [[petroleum|oil]], with its Sandhills-2 borehole at [[Porchfield]] but ceased operations in October that year, after failing to find significant reserves.
==== Breweries ====
There are three breweries on the Island. Goddards Brewery in [[Ryde]] opened in 1993.<ref>[http://www.goddards-brewery.co.uk/aboutus.htm about us<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> David Yates, who was head brewer of Burts and Island Brewery, started brewing as Yates Brewery at the Inn at [[St Lawrence]] in 2000.<ref>[http://www.yates-brewery.co.uk/ Yates' Brewery<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Ventnor Brewery, under new management, is the latest incarnation of Burt's Brewery, which has been brewing on the Island since the 1840s in [[Ventnor]].
<ref>[http://www.ventnorbrewery.co.uk/1840.html Ventnor Brewery :: Since 1840<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Until the 1960's most pubs were owned by Mews Brewery sited in Newport near the old railway station, but it closed and the pubs taken over by [[Strongs]] and then by [[Whitbread]]. By some accounts Mews beer was apt to be rather cloudy and dark. They pioneered the use of cans in the 19th century for export to British India. The old brewery was derelict for many years but was then severely damaged in a spectacular fire
=== Services ===
==== Tourism and heritage ====
[[Image:Isle of Wight.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Compton Chine, looking east towards [[Blackgang Chine|Blackgang]]]]
The heritage of the Island is a major asset, which has for many years kept its economy going. Holidays focused on natural heritage, including both wildlife and geology, are becoming a growing alternative to the traditional [[seaside resort]] holiday. The latter has been in decline in the United Kingdom domestic market, due to the increased affordability of air travel to alternative destinations.
Tourism is still the largest industry on the Island. In 1999, the 130,000 Island residents were host to 2.7 million visitors. Of these, 1.5 million stayed overnight, and 1.2 million visits were day visits. Only 150,000 of these visitors were international visitors. Between 1993 and 2000, visits increased at a rate of 3% per year, on average.<ref>[http://www.investwight.com/useful-info.asp#population A website with Isle of Wight statistics for investors]</ref>
At the turn of the nineteenth century the Island had ten [[Pier#Pleasure piers|pleasure piers]] including two at [[Ryde Pier|Ryde]] and a "chain pier" at [[Seaview, Isle of Wight|Seaview]]. The [[Victoria Pier, Cowes|Victoria Pier]] in Cowes succeeded the earlier [[Royal Pier, Cowes|Royal Pier]] but was itself removed in 1960. The piers at Ryde, [[Seaview, Isle of Wight|Seaview]], [[Sandown]], [[Shanklin]] and [[Ventnor]] originally served a coastal steamer service that operated from Southsea on the mainland. The piers at Seaview, Shanklin, Ventnor and [[Alum Bay]] were all destroyed by storms during the last century. Today only the railway pier at Ryde and the piers at Sandown, [[Totland|Totland Bay]] (currently closed to the public) and Yarmouth survive. [[Blackgang Chine]] is arguably the oldest theme park in the UK, and one of the oldest in the world.
As well as more traditional tourist attractions, the Island is often host to walking holidays <ref>[http://www.wight-walks.co.uk Isle of Wight walking holidays - Wight Walks<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. or cycling holidays through the attractive scenery. Almost every town and village on the Island plays host to hotels, hostels and camping sites. Out of the peak summer season, the Island is still an important destination for coach tours from other parts of the [[United Kingdom]] and an annual walking festival has attracted considerable interest.
A major contribution to the local economy comes from [[sailing]] and marine-related tourism.
==== Transport ====
{{main|Transportation on the Isle of Wight}}
[[Image:IsleofWightmap 1945.jpg|right|thumb|350px|A map of the island from 1945]]
The Isle of Wight has a total of 489 miles of roadway. Major roads run between the main island towns, with smaller roads connecting villages. It is one of the few counties in the UK not to have a motorway, as the islands largest road is only a dual carriageway, running from Coppins Bridge in Newport, towards the north of Newport near the Island’s Hospital and Prisons.
A comprehensive bus network, operated by [[Southern Vectis]] links most island settlements with Newport as the central hub.
The island's location 5 miles off the mainland means the most common form of transport is by boat. Car ferry and passenger services are run by [[Wightlink]] and [[Red Funnel]] as well as a hovercraft operated by [[Hovertravel]]. However, fixed links have also been proposed.
The Island is home to the smallest train operating company in the United Kingdom's [[National Rail]] network, the [[Island Line, Isle of Wight|Island Line]], running a little under 14 [[kilometres]] (about 8.5 [[miles]]) from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.
There are currently two airfields for general aviation, Isle of Wight Airport at Sandown and [[Bembridge Airport]].
==== Communications ====
All of the Island telephone exchanges are broadband-enabled and in addition, some urban areas such as [[Cowes]] and Newport are covered by cable lines. Some areas, such as [[Arreton]], have no broadband access in certain places.
===== Media =====
The Isle of Wight has one local broadsheet newspaper, The [[Isle of Wight County Press]]. It discusses local issues and is published each Friday, or on the last working day if a public holiday falls on a Friday.
The Island had a television station called [[Solent TV]] from 2002 until its closure on Thursday, 24th May, 2007.
The Island has two native, commercial radio stations and has access to other nearby local stations based off the Island. Since 1998, [[Isle of Wight Radio]] has broadcast on 107 and 102 FM, as well as on the internet, and on the AM band since 1990. In 2007, Angel Radio<!-- [[Angel Radio (Isle of Wight)]] redirects here --> began broadcasting on 91.7 FM from studios in [[Cowes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://angelradioisleofwight.moonfruit.com/ |title="History of Our Station" and "Gallery" |accessdate=2007-10-28 |format=Flash |work=Angel Radio Isle of Wight Website }}</ref>
Active local websites with coverage of Island news include [http://ventnorblog.com/ Ventnor Blog] and [http://www.islandpulse.co.uk/ Island Pulse].
== Prisons ==
The Island geography, close to the densely populated south of England, led to it gaining three [[prison]]s: [[Albany (HM Prison)|Albany]], [[Camp Hill (HM Prison)|Camp Hill]] and [[Parkhurst (HM Prison)|Parkhurst]] which are located outside Newport on the main road to Cowes. Albany and Parkhurst were once among the few Category A prisons in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] until they were downgraded in the 1990s. The downgrading of Parkhurst was precipitated by a major escape: three prisoners (two murderers and a blackmailer) made their way out of the prison on [[3 January]] [[1995]] for four days of freedom before being recaptured. Parkhurst especially enjoyed notoriety as one of the toughest jails in the British Isles and "hosted" many notable inmates, including the [[Yorkshire Ripper]] [[Peter Sutcliffe]] and the [[Kray twins]].
Camp Hill is located to the west of, and adjacent to, Albany and Parkhurst, on the very edge of Parkhurst Forest, having been converted first to a [[borstal]] and later to later a category C prison. It was originally on the site of an army camp (both Albany and Parkhurst were barracks), where there is a small estate of tree-lined roads with well-proportioned officers' quarters (with varying grandeur according to rank, but now privately owned), to the south and east.
== Education ==
{{Main|Education on the Isle of Wight}}
There are sixty-nine [[Local Education Authority]]-maintained schools on the Isle of Wight, and two [[independent school]]s. As a rural community, many of these schools are small, with average numbers of pupils lower than in many urban areas. There are currently five high schools. However, there are plans to close at least one of the high schools. There is also the [[Isle of Wight College]], which is located on the outskirts of Newport.
The Island implements a [[middle school]] system.
== Famous residents ==
{{Main|List of Isle of Wight people}}
Over the years, the island has had many well-known visitors. Many come over for health reasons due to the cool sea breeze and clean air. For example, [[Winston Churchill]] and [[Karl Marx]] were visitors to the Island. Notable residents include:
* Future Roman Emperor [[Vespasian]], 44CE
* [[Robert Hooke]], a 17th century [[natural philosopher]] and [[polymath]], is perhaps best known for his definition of [[Hooke's Law | Hooke's Law of Elasticity]], but he also coined the term [[Cell (biology) | "cell"]] to define the basic unit of life and made valuable contributions in the fields of [[Physics | physics]], [[Astronomy | astronomy]] and [[Microscopy | microscopy]].
* [[Henry Sewell]], first [[Prime Minister]] of [[New Zealand]].
* [[Alfred Tennyson]], who was [[Poet Laureate]] to [[Queen Victoria]], lived at Freshwater and became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth in the County of Sussex and of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight.
* Tennyson's friend [[Julia Margaret Cameron]], a renowned portrait and creative photographer, lived nearby at [[Dimbola Lodge]] which is now a museum dedicated to her work.
* [[Christopher Cockerell | Sir Christopher Cockerell]], inventor of the [[hovercraft]], lived in [[East Cowes]] while it was being developed by [[Saunders-Roe]].
* [[Alan Titchmarsh]], the renowned UK gardener, is [[High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight]] in 2008/9.<ref>[http://www.highsheriff-iow.org.uk/badge.htm High Sheriff's new Badge of Office - July 2007], [http://www.highsheriff-iow.org.uk/ High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight website].</ref>
* [[Indie rock]] group [[The Bees (UK band) | The Bees ]] is from the Isle of Wight.
* [[David Icke]] - Author
== Selected places of interest ==
<div style="float:right;">
{{EngPlacesKey}}
</div>
<!-- Note to editors: this is an alphabetical list. -->
* [[Alum Bay]]
* [[Appuldurcombe House]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]]
* [[Blackgang Chine]]
* [[Brading Roman Villa]] [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum]]
* [[Carisbrooke Castle]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]] [[Image:CL icon.PNG]], where [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] was imprisoned
* [[Dimbola Lodge]] [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum]], home of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] photographer, [[Julia Margaret Cameron]]
* [[Dinosaur Isle]] [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum]]
* [[Fort Victoria (Isle of Wight)|Fort Victoria]] [[Image:CP icon.png|Country Park]]
* [[Godshill|Godshill Village]], and Model Village
* [[Isle of Wight Steam Railway]] [[Image:HR icon.png|Heritage Railway]]
* [[Isle of Wight Zoo]], [[Yaverland]]
* Medina Theatre, home to the Islands entertainment including music and performances.
* [[The Needles]] [[Image:NTE icon.png|National Trust]], which is near "The Old Battery" museum and Old Look-out Tower tea-room
* [[Osborne House]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]], where [[Queen Victoria]] and her husband, [[Prince Albert]] had their country residence
* [[Quarr Abbey]] [[Image:AP Icon.PNG]]
* [[Robin Hill]]
* [[Ventnor Botanic Garden|Botanic Gardens, Ventnor]]
* [[Yarmouth Castle]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]] [[Image:CL icon.PNG]], associated with [[King Henry VIII]]
== Notable media references ==
* The 1980s pop group [[Level 42]] is from the Isle of Wight.
* The [[Northumbria]]n scholar, [[Bede]], recorded the arrival of Christianity on the Isle of Wight in the year 686, when the population was massacred and replaced by Christians.<ref>[http://www.mytimemachine.co.uk/wight arrival of Christianity]</ref>
* [[The Beatles]]' song "[[When I'm Sixty-Four]]", written by [[Paul McCartney]], refers to renting a cottage on the Isle of Wight (if it's not too dear).<ref>[http://www.lib.ru/SONGS/BEAT/beat18.txt Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* The Isle of Wight is called ''The Island'' in some editions of [[Thomas Hardy]]'s novels in his fictional [[Thomas Hardy's Wessex|Wessex]].
* The Isle of Wight is the setting of [[Julian Barnes]]'s novel ''[[England, England]]''.
* The Island also features in [[John Wyndham]]'s novel ''[[The Day of the Triffids]]'' and [[Simon Clark]]'s sequel to it, ''[[The Night of the Triffids]]''.
* In the radio series ''[[Nebulous]]'', the Isle of Wight has been accidentally disintegrated by Professor Nebulous while he was trying to move it slightly to the left on Janril 57, [[2069]].<ref>{{cite episode|title=Holofile 001: Genesis of the Aftermath|episodelink=List of Nebulous episodes#Third series|series=Nebulous|serieslink=Nebulous|airdate=2008-05-15|season=3|number=1}}</ref>
* [[Bob Dylan]] recorded the songs "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]", "[[Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)]]", "Minstrel Boy", and "[[She Belongs to Me]]" for the album ''[[Self Portrait (Bob Dylan album)|Self Portrait]]'' live on the Isle of Wight.
* The Isle of Wight is the setting in [[D. H. Lawrence]]'s book ''The Trespasser'', filmed for TV in 1981 on location.
* In the 1966 novel ''[[Colossus (novel)|Colossus]]'', the entire Island is selected for the development of a new base by the supercomputer, Colossus.
* The Isle of Wight is the setting of [[Graham Masterton]]'s book ''Prey''.
* Parts of ''Frágiles'' (''Fragile: A Ghost Story''), a 2005 movie starring [[Calista Flockhart]], were filmed on the island.
*[[Karl Marx]] visited the Isle of Wight on numerous occasions while he was writing [[The Communist Manifesto]].
* The [[Commodore 64]] game 'Spirit of the Stones' by John Worsley was set on the Isle of Wight.<ref>[http://www.warbirdart.demon.co.uk/treasure.html The Lost Talismans of Spirit of the Stones<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== See also ==
{{portalpar|Isle of Wight}}
*[[Isle of Wight gasification facility]]
*[[List of civil parishes on the Isle of Wight]]
*[[List of places on the Isle of Wight]]
*[[Isle of Wight Rifles]]
== References ==
* [[Hansard]], Wednesday [[14 November]] [[2001]] column 850
* [[Isle of Wight County Press]] [http://www.iwcp.co.uk/]
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons|Isle of Wight}}
{{wiktionary|Isle of Wight}}
'''General Information:'''
* [http://www.iwight.gov.uk/ Isle of Wight Council]
* [http://www.isleofwightfestival.com/ Isle of Wight Festival]
* [http://www.isleofwightweather.co.uk/ The Isle of Wight Weather Station]
'''Media:'''
* [http://www.iwcp.co.uk/ Isle of Wight County Press]
* [http://www.iwradio.co.uk/ Isle of Wight Radio]
* [http://www.VentnorBlog.com/ VentnorBlog]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=110084184291882994910.00044a5ede19ea509c740&ie=UTF8&z=13 Free Wifi Hotspots ]
* [http://www.wightbay.com/ Isle of Wight Classifieds]
'''Tourism:'''
* {{Wikitravel}}
'''Photos:'''
* [http://www.isleofwightpictures.co.uk/ Isle of Wight Pictures]
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/isleofwight/pool/ Isle of Wight Photos]
*[http://www.bartiesworld.co.uk/postcards/newport.htm Old pictures of Newport]
{{Isle of Wight box}}
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