Things you didn't know about... the Isle of Wight

Everyone in the world could once fit on the Isle of Wight at the same time

The Isle of Wight has a total area of 380 sq km (147 sq mi). Up until 1945, it was true that if everyone in the world stood side by side in rows, the entire population of the world could fit on the island. Not any more, though.

Red squirrels still rule on the Isle of Wight

Red squirrels are thriving here. The grey squirrels, which have taken over across the rest of southern England, have not yet managed to cross the Solent. Rumours they are in the process of building landing craft out of acorns remain unconfirmed.

Like riddles? If so you'll like the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has Freshwater you can't drink, Needles you can't sew with, a Lake you can cross without getting wet and Cowes you cannot milk.

The Isle of Wight is the home of yacht racing

Cowes Week is the longest running and biggest yachting regatta in the world, dating back to 1812. Over 1,000 yachts take part in the different classes of racing. The America's Cup, regarded as the pinnacle of competitive sailing, also began life here. The first contest took place around the Isle of Wight in 1851.

The centre of the island is a corner

Shide Corner, on the edge of Newport, is the centre point of the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight—rock of ages

In 1970 the Isle of Wight festival attracted over half a million visitors. Famous for the performance of Jimmy Hendrix, the party looked to be over when in 1971 the government banned unlicensed gatherings of more than 5,000 people on the island. But in recent years the Isle of Wight festival has been revived, albeit on a much smaller scale.

The Isle of Wight MP is a busy chap

The Isle of Wight is the most populated parliamentary constituency in the UK, with over 130,000 people represented by just one Member of Parliament.

The Isle of Wight's longest-running run

The Isle of Wight marathon has been held every year since 1957, making it the longest-running, continuously held marathon in Britain. That's not to say it's the biggest: usually around 300 runners take part, or about one per cent of the total number of participants in the London Marathon.