🌆 Hong Kong – Asia’s Global City
Hong Kong is a vibrant metropolis and Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, renowned for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, towering skyline, and dynamic economy. Situated on the southern coast of China, it encompasses Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 outlying islands. As of 2023, Hong Kong has a population of approximately 7.5 million people, making it one of the most densely populated regions globally. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
📜 Historical Background
Originally a collection of fishing villages, Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842 following the First Opium War. The territory expanded with the addition of the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and the leasing of the New Territories in 1898. After over 150 years of British rule, sovereignty was transferred to China on July 1, 1997, under the “one country, two systems” principle, allowing Hong Kong to maintain its own legal and economic systems. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
🌍 Geography & Urban Landscape
Hong Kong’s terrain is predominantly mountainous, with limited flat land, leading to a highly vertical urban development. The region boasts a stunning skyline, particularly around Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Notable geographical features include Tai Mo Shan, the highest peak at 957 meters, and numerous country parks that cover about 40% of the land area, offering a haven for biodiversity. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
💼 Economy & Infrastructure
Hong Kong is a leading international financial center with a free-market economy characterized by low taxation and minimal government intervention. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is among the largest globally. The city boasts a highly developed infrastructure, including an extensive public transportation system where over 90% of daily journeys are made via public transit, the highest rate worldwide. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
🗣️ Language & Culture
The official languages are Chinese and English, with Cantonese being the most widely spoken. Hong Kong’s culture is a rich tapestry that blends traditional Chinese practices with colonial British influences, evident in its legal system, education, and lifestyle. The city is also famous for its culinary scene, offering a diverse array of cuisines and the traditional dim sum experience. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
📚 Learn More
For a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s history, geography, economy, and culture, visit the Wikipedia article.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a 1,114-square-kilometre (430 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the world.
Hong Kong 香港 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Other official names
| |||||||
Location of Hong Kong within China | |||||||
Sovereign state | China | ||||||
British possession | 26 January 1841 | ||||||
Treaty of Nanking | 29 August 1842 | ||||||
Convention of Peking | 24 October 1860 | ||||||
New Territories lease | 9 June 1898 | ||||||
Imperial Japanese occupation | 25 December 1941 to 30 August 1945 | ||||||
Re-designated as a British Dependent Territory | 1 January 1981 | ||||||
Sino-British Joint Declaration | 19 December 1984 | ||||||
Handover to China | 1 July 1997 | ||||||
Administrative centre | Tamar | ||||||
Largest district by population | Sha Tin | ||||||
Official languages |
| ||||||
Traditional Chinese English alphabet | |||||||
Ethnic groups (2021) | 91.6% Chinese 2.7% Filipino 1.9% Indonesian 0.8% White 0.6% Indian 0.4% Nepalese 2% other | ||||||
Demonym(s) |
| ||||||
Government | Devolved executive-led government within a unitary one-party state | ||||||
John Lee | |||||||
Eric Chan | |||||||
Andrew Leung | |||||||
Andrew Cheung | |||||||
Legislature | Legislative Council | ||||||
National representation | |||||||
36 deputies | |||||||
203 delegates | |||||||
Area | |||||||
• Total | 2,754.97 km2 (1,063.70 sq mi) (168th) | ||||||
• Water (%) | 59.70% (1,640.62 km2; 633.45 sq mi) | ||||||
• Land | 1,114.35 km2 (430.25 sq mi) | ||||||
Highest elevation | 957 m (3,140 ft) | ||||||
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||||||
Population | |||||||
• 2023 estimate | |||||||
• 2021 census | |||||||
• Density | 6,801/km2 (17,614.5/sq mi) (4th) | ||||||
GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate | ||||||
• Total | |||||||
• Per capita | |||||||
GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate | ||||||
• Total | |||||||
• Per capita | |||||||
Gini (2021) | medium | ||||||
HDI (2023) | very high · 8th | ||||||
Currency | Hong Kong dollar (HK$) (HKD) | ||||||
Time zone | UTC+08:00 (HKT) | ||||||
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy yyyy年mm月dd日 | ||||||
Mains electricity | 220 V–50 Hz | ||||||
Driving side | Left | ||||||
Calling code | +852 | ||||||
ISO 3166 code | |||||||
Internet TLD | |||||||
Number plate prefixes | None for local vehicles, 粤Z for cross-boundary vehicles |
Hong Kong was established as a colony of the British Empire after the Qing dynasty ceded Hong Kong Island in 1841–1842 as a consequence of losing the First Opium War. The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and was further extended when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. The territory was handed over from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Hong Kong maintains separate governing and economic systems from that of mainland China under the principle of one country, two systems.
Originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages, the territory is now one of the world's most significant financial centres and commercial ports. Hong Kong is the world's third-ranked global financial centre (behind New York City and London), ninth-largest exporter, and eighth-largest importer. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar, is the ninth most traded currency in the world. Home to the second-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world, Hong Kong has the largest number of ultra high-net-worth individuals. Although the city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, severe income inequality exists among the population. Despite being the city with the most skyscrapers in the world, housing in Hong Kong is consistently in high demand.
Hong Kong is a highly developed territory and has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.955, ranking eighth in the world and currently the only place in Asia to be in the top ten. The city has the highest life expectancy in the world, and a public transport usage exceeding 90 per cent.