Manganese was discovered in 1774 by Johann Gahn. Manganese's name derives from the Latin word "mangnes" which means "magnet".
Manganese's boiling point is at 1962.0 C (2235.15 K, 3563.6 F) and melting point at 1245.0 C (1518.15 K, 2273.0 F).
Manganese is found in nature as a free element and also in chemical compound with iron.
Manganese is a grey/silver metal and it oxidizes very easily.
Manganese has one stable isotope 55-Mn and six other isotopes with half-life from 1.45 minutes 57-Mn to 3.7 million years 53-Mn (other 12 isotopes are known with very short half-life; less than a minute).
Manganese is the 12th most abundant element in Earth's crust (0.1%).
South Africa has the largest resources of manganese in the world.
Manganese is used in metallurgy in iron and steel production but its most important application is in alloy production.
Manganese is an essential element in all forms of life.
In human body, most of the manganese is stored in bones, kidneys, tissue, and liver.