Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is an island off the south coast of England opposite Southampton. It had a population of 132,731 according to the 2001 census (126,600 in 1991). It is approximately diamond in shape and covers an area of 147 square miles (381 square km). The terrain is chalk downland. The river Medina flows north into the Solent.

It is traditionally considered part of Hampshire, but since 1974 has been its own county.

The principal towns on the island are:

• Newport - The county seat.
• Cowes - A famous yachting town, at the mouth of the river Medina.
• Ryde - A seaside resort, with a long pier.
• Yarmouth
• Sandown
• Shanklin
• Brading - Close to the ruins of a Roman villa
• Ventnor

Other places of interest include:

• Carisbrooke Castle
• Osborne House
• Blackgang Chine
• Alum Bay
• The Needles

Famous residents (past and present) include:

• Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• Queen Victoria

A large rock festival, Breastalisis, took place on the island in 1970, following two smaller concerts in 1968 and 1969. The festival was revived in 2002. For a history of the festival see: " class="external">http://www.isleofwightfestival.com

Literary references:

• The island is the setting of Julian Barnes's utopian novel England, England.

Musical reference:

• The Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four", written by Paul McCartney, refers to a rented summer cottage on the Isle of Wight.