View source for Hong Kong

'''Hong Kong''' (&#39321;&#28207;;  [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: {{IPA|[hœ&#720;&#331;<sub>1</sub> k&#596;&#720;&#331;<sub>2</sub>]}};  [[Jyutping]]: hoeng1 gong2; [[Yale Romanization#Cantonese|Yale]]: he&#363;ng góng; [[pinyin]]: Xi&#257;ngg&#462;ng; [[Wade-Giles]]: Hsiang-kang) is one of the two [[Special Administrative Region]]s of the [[People's Republic of China]]. (The other one is [[Macau]].) Administratively, the name "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" (abbreviated as "HKSAR") is usually used.

Hong Kong consists of [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Kowloon]] and the [[New Territories]]<!--Lantau Island is part of New Territories-->. The [[Kowloon Peninsula]] is attached to the New Territories in the north, and the New Territories are in turn connected to the [[mainland China|mainland of China]] across the [[Sham Chun River]]<!-- it is named in this way in Hong Kong-->. In total, Hong Kong has 236 [[island]]s in the [[South China Sea]], of which [[Lantau Island|Lantau]] is the largest and Hong Kong Island is the second largest and most populated. [[Ap Lei Chau]] is the most densely-populated. 

Under the policy of the '[[One country, two systems|One Country, Two Systems]]', Hong Kong enjoys a considerable degree of [[autonomy]] from [[Mainland China|the Mainland]], as well as continuing to have its own [[legal system]], [[currency]], [[customs]], [[immigration]] authorities, and its own [[Rules of the road|rule of the road]], with [[traffic]] continuing to drive on the left, for example. Only [[national defense|national defence]] and [[diplomatic relations]] are responsibilities of the central government in [[Beijing]].

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'''&#20013;&#33775;&#20154;&#27665;&#20849;&#21644;&#22283;&#39321;&#28207;&#29305;&#21029;&#34892;&#25919;&#21312;<br />Hong Kong Special Administrative<br /> Region of the People's Republic of China'''
|-
|colspan="2"|
{| style="background:none; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|-
|[[Image:Hong kong flag large.png|125px|Flag of Hong Kong]]
|[[Image:Hong Kong coa.png|Hong Kong coat of arms]]
|-
|([[Flag of Hong Kong]])
|([[Media:Hong_Kong_coa_large.png|Full size]])
|}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|colspan="2"|[[Image:LocationHongKong.png]]
|-
|[[Official language]]s
|[[Chinese language|Chinese]] ([[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] spoken de facto) and [[English language|English]]
|-
|[[Capital]]
|[[Victoria City]]
|-
|[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]]
|[[Tung Chee-hwa]]
|-
|[[Area]]<br />&nbsp;- Total <br />&nbsp;- % water
|(Not ranked)<br />[[1 E9 m²|1,102.15 km&sup2;]]<br /> 4.6%
|-
|[[Population]]<br />
&nbsp;- Total<br />
&nbsp;- [[Population density|Density]]
|(Not ranked)<br />
6,803,100 ([[July 2003]])<br />
6,771/km&sup2; 
|-
|[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] (2003)<br />
&nbsp;- Total<br />
&nbsp;- Total<br />
&nbsp;- GDP/head<br />
&nbsp;- GDP/head 
|[[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|37th]], [[List of countries by GDP|30th]],&nbsp;[[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|16th]],&nbsp;[[List of countries by GDP (Nominal) per capita|22nd]]<br />
[[USD|US$]]199 billion (PPP)<br />
$157 billion (Nominal)<br />
$27,200 (PPP)<br />
$23,592 (Nominal) 
|-
|Establishment<br />
&nbsp;- Date
|Handover to the [[People's Republic of China|PRC]]<br />
[[July 1]], [[1997]]
|-
|[[Currency]]
|[[Hong Kong dollar]] (HKD)
|-
|[[Time zone]]
|[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] +8 ([[AWST]])
|-
|[[Top-level domain|Internet TLD]]
|[[.hk]]
|-
|[[List_of_country_calling_codes|Calling Code]]
|852 ''also '''01''' from Macau''
|-
|[[Bauhinia_blakeana|Flower]]||[[Bauhinia_blakeana|Bauhinia]]
|}

== History ==

''Main article: [[History of Hong Kong]]''

Although it was occupied at least since the [[Neolithic Age]], the territory of today's Hong Kong remained distant from the major events unfolding in [[imperial]] [[China]] for most of its history. It did began attracting worldwide attention in the [[19th century]].

Occupied by [[United Kingdom]] during the [[First Opium War]] in [[1841]], [[Hong Kong Island]] was formally ceded by China the following year under the [[Treaty of Nanking]]. Parts of the adjacent [[Kowloon Peninsula]] (south of [[Boundary Street]]), and the [[Stonecutter's Island]] were ceded to [[United Kingdom|Britain]] in [[1860]] by the [[Convention of Peking]] after the [[Second Opium War]]. Various adjacent lands, known as the [[New Territories]] (including [[New Kowloon]]) were then [[leasing|leased]] to Britain for 99 years from [[July 1]], [[1898]] to [[June 30]], [[1997]].

Pursuant to an agreement signed by the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) and the [[United Kingdom]] (UK) on [[December 19]], [[1984]], the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]], the whole territory of Hong Kong under British [[colonial]] rule became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC on July 1, 1997. 

In the Joint Declaration, the PRC promised that under the "[[One Country, Two Systems]]" policy proposed by [[Deng Xiaoping]], China's socialist [[economic system]] would not be practised in Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and [[Defense (military)|defence]] for 50 years until [[2047]].

== Politics ==

''Main article: [[Politics of Hong Kong]]''

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is headed by [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] [[Tung Chee Hwa]] as [[head of government]]. Tung assumed office on [[July 1]], [[1997]], following his [[election]] by a 400-member [[electoral college]] appointed by the People's Republic of China. For the second five-year term of the Chief Executive which began in July [[2002]], Tung was nominated and elected unopposed by the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong#Election Committee|Election Committee]] in February 2002. 

[[Image:Hong Kong skyline nighttime.jpg|thumb|300px|Hong Kong skyline, as seen from [[Tsim Sha Tsui]]]]

[[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] elections were held in May [[1998]], September [[2000]], and again in September [[2004]]. According to the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], Hong Kong's "Mini-[[constitution]]", the present third term of the Legislative Council has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from [[Functional constituency|functional constituencies]]. The 1998, 2000 and [[Hong Kong legislative election, 2004|2004]] Legislative Council elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'pro-democracy' politicians, who contended that the functional constituency elections and the Election Committee elections (for 1998 and 2000) were undemocratic as they consider that the electorate for these seats is too narrow.

The civil service of Hong Kong maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from [[Beijing]].

The [[Right of abode issue, Hong Kong|Right of abode issue]] sparked debates in [[1999]], while the controversy over [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23]] was the focus of politics in Hong Kong between [[2002]] and [[2003]] culminating in a peaceful mass demonstration in 2003 after which the government was forced to indefinitely shelve further consideration of amendments to Article 23. Afterwards, the focus of controversies shifted to the issue of [[universal suffrage]] towards the end of [[2003]] and in 2004, which was the slogan of another peaceful mass demonstration in 2004.

== Districts ==

''Main article: [[Districts of Hong Kong]]''

[[Image:HK_Harbor_Airport_Landsat.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A simulated-color satellite image of the [[Victoria Harbour]] and the former [[Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport]], both in Hong Kong, taken on [[NASA]]'s [[Landsat 7]].]]

Hong Kong consists of 18 administrative districts:

* [[Central and Western]]
* [[Eastern district|Eastern]] 
* [[Islands District, Hong Kong|Islands]]
* [[Kowloon City]]
* [[Kwai Tsing]]
* [[Kwun Tong]]
* [[North District, Hong Kong|North]] 
* [[Sai Kung]] 
* [[Sham Shui Po]] 
* [[Sha Tin]]
* [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern]]
* [[Tai Po]]
* [[Tsuen Wan]]
* [[Tuen Mun]]
* [[Wan Chai]]
* [[Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong|Wong Tai Sin]]
* [[Yau Tsim Mong]]
* [[Yuen Long]]

== Geography ==

''Main article: [[Geography of Hong Kong]]''

[[Image:CIA-HongKong.jpg|thumb|325px|Map of Hong Kong]]

The name ''Hong Kong'' is derived from [[Hong Kong Island]] in the [[South China Sea]], at the delta of the [[Pearl River (China)|Zhu Jiang]] (or Pearl River) of southern China. Other territories that were later added include the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, which include over 200 surrounding islands. The [[landscape]] is fairly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, the highest point being the [[Tai Mo Shan]] at 958 [[meter|m]], though lowlands exist in the north.

Hong Kong was on the east of the Zhu Jiang Delta, while Macau (another Special Administrative Region of China) is on the west. Besides that, Hong Kong is bordering the city of [[Shenzhen]] in the north. 

Of the total of 1102 [[Kilometre|km]]&sup2; of Hong Kong, only 25% are developed. The remaining 75% are set aside as [[country park]]s and [[nature reserve]]s.

The [[Climate of Hong Kong|local climate]] is that of a [[tropical]] [[monsoon]] clime.  It is cool and dry in [[winter]] ([[January|Jan]]-[[March|Mar]]), hot and [[rain]]y from [[spring (season)|spring]] through [[summer]] ([[April|Apr]]-[[September|Sep]]), and warm, sunny and dry in the [[autumn]] ([[October|Oct]]-[[December|Dec]]). Hong Kong is visited by occasional [[typhoon]]s.  On [[September 18]], [[1906]], a typhoon and [[tsunami]] killed an estimated 10,000 persons.

''See also:'' [[Ecology of Hong Kong]], [[Hong Kong Country Parks & Special Areas]]

== Economy ==

''Main article: [[Economy of Hong Kong]]''

[[Image:Hong Kong skyline daytime 2.jpg|thumb|300px|Hong Kong Skyline, as seen from [[Victoria Peak]]]]

Hong Kong has a bustling economy highly dependent on [[international trade]].  
It is one of the world's freest economies, as well as the world's 10th largest trading entity and 11th largest banking center. [[Natural resources]] are limited, and [[food]] and raw [[material]]s must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports, including re-exports, each exceed [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] in [[Hong Kong dollar|dollar]] value. Hong Kong has extensive trade and investment ties with the People's Republic of China, even before its reunification with China on [[July 1]] [[1997]]. The [[Tertiary sector of industry|service industry]] represented 86.5% of the GDP in 2001, and the territory, with a highly sophisticated [[bank]]ing sector, has housed the Asian [[headquarters]] of many [[multinational corporations]] in recent [[decade]]s.

At a level of US$ 28,800 (2003 estimate) Hong Kong's [[per capita]] GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of [[Western Europe]]. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in [[1989]]-[[1997]].  The widespread [[Asian financial crisis|Asian economic difficulties]] in [[1998]] hit this trade-dependent economy quite hard, with GDP down 5%. The economy, with growth of 10% in [[2000]], recovered rapidly from the Asian financial crisis. The recent global downturn has badly hurt Hong Kong's exports and GDP growth was 2.3% in [[2002]].

[[Image:Hkpeak-aug2003.jpg|thumbnail|300px|View of the central district of Hong Kong, from Victoria Peak]]

In early [[2003]], the local economy was hit hard by the outbreak of [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome]] (SARS). On [[June 29]], [[2003]], the Mainland and Hong Kong [[Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement]] (CEPA) was signed. CEPA allows Hong Kong service providers in 18 areas to enter the mainland market at least one year ahead of their foreign competitors. The arrangement provides a platform for Hong Kong professionals to practice on the mainland and also allows Hong Kong permanent residents to set up individually owned [[retail stores]] in [[Guangdong]] Province.

On [[July 28]], [[2003]], the [[Individual Visit Scheme]] was started to allow travellers from some cities in mainland China to visit Hong Kong on an individual basis. As a result, the [[Tourism in Hong Kong|tourism industry in Hong Kong]] is booming once again. 

''See also:'' [[Hang Seng Index]], [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]]

''External link:'' [http://cf.heritage.org/index2004test/country2.cfm?id=HongKong Index of Economic Freedom - The Heritage Foundation]

== Demographics ==

''Main article: [[Demographics of Hong Kong]]''

[[Image:Hkcausewaybay.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Crowds waiting for a train at the [[Causeway Bay]] [[MTR|Mass Transit Railway]] station.]]

Hong Kong is by population the fourth largest [[metropolitan area]] of the PRC (see [[List of cities in China]]). Considered as a "dependency", Hong Kong is one of the [[List of countries by population density|most densely populated countries/dependencies in the world]], with an overall density of nearly 6,700 people per km&sup2;.

Despite the population density, Hong Kong was reported to be one of the greenest cities in Asia. The majority of people live in [[Apartment|flats]] in [[Skyscraper|high-rise buildings]]. The rest of the open spaces are often covered with parks, woods and shrubs. About 60% of the land is designated as Country Parks and Nature Reserves. [[Hiking]] and [[camping]] are popular outdoor activities in Hong Kong's hilly country parks. The irregular and long [[coast]]line of Hong Kong also provides many bays and fine [[beach]]es for its inhabitants. Environmental concern and awareness is growing, however, as Hong Kong ranks as one of the most (air-)polluted cities in the world.

[[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]], the [[Chinese dialect|Chinese language]] used in Hong Kong government matters, is spoken by most of the local Chinese population at home and in the office. But [[English language|English]] is quite widely understood; it is spoken, mostly at work, by more than one-third of the population. Every major [[Religion in China|religion]] is freely practised in Hong Kong. [[Ancestor worship]] is predominant due to the strong [[Confucianism|Confucian]] influence, whereas [[Christianity]] is practised by a mere 10% of the population.

[[Image:Victoria_harbour_hk.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Aberdeen Harbour]] and jetty where you may catch a [[sampan]] to the floating restaurant]]

== Culture ==

''Main article: [[Culture of Hong Kong]]''

* [[Cantonese cuisine]]
* [[Chinese mythology]]
* [[Hong Kong tea culture]]
* [[Media in Hong Kong]]
* [[Cinema of China]]
* [[Cantonese opera]]
* [[Cantopop]]
* [[Museums in Hong Kong]]
* [[Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra]]
* [[Hong Kong Jockey Club]]
* [[Hong Kong Disneyland]]
* [[Hong Kong Sevens]]

== Miscellaneous topics ==

[[Image:HongKongGoldenBauhinaSquare.jpg|thumb|300px|The Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, at night - This is a tourist spot in Hong Kong and the location of the flag-raising ceremony on National Day every year.]]

* [[Transportation in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of companies in Hong Kong]]
* [[Communications in Hong Kong]]
* [[Public holidays in Hong Kong]]
* [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]]
* [[Beaches of Hong Kong]]
* [[Foreign relations of Hong Kong]]
* [[Military of Hong Kong]]
* [[Hong Kong in films]]
* [[Hong Kong honours system]]
* [[Hong Kong national football team]]
* [[Reporters without borders]] Worldwide press freedom index 2004: Ranks 34 out of 167 countries and regions
* [[List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of Hong Kong-related topics]]
*[[Current events in Hong Kong and Macao]] 

===Major Landmarks===

* [[Bank of China Tower]]
* [[International Finance Centre]]
* [[HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building]]
* [[The Center, Hong Kong|The Center]]
* [[Central Plaza, Hong Kong|Central Plaza]]
* [[Hopewell Centre, Hong Kong|Hopewell Centre]]
* [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]]
* [[Tsing Ma Bridge]]
* [[Victoria Peak]]

=== Universities and other tertiary institutions===
''See also: [[Education in Hong Kong]]''

There are eight universities and various other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong.

* [[The University of Hong Kong]]
* [[The Chinese University of Hong Kong]]
* [[The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology]]
* [[The Hong Kong Polytechnic University]]
* [[Hong Kong Baptist University]]
* [[Lingnan University]]
* [[The Hong Kong Institute of Education]]
* [[City University of Hong Kong]]
* [[Open University of Hong Kong]]
* [[Chu Hai College]] [http://www.chuhai.edu.hk/en/]
* [[Shue Yan College]] [http://www.hksyc.edu/]
* [[Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education]] [http://www.vtc.edu.hk/]

== External links ==
* [http://www.info.gov.hk/ Hong Kong SAR Government Information Centre] - Official site of the Government of Hong Kong
* [http://www.info.gov.hk/yearbook/2003/ Hong Kong Yearbook 2003]
* [http://www.countryguide.com/Hong_Kong/ CountryGuide:: Hong Kong] --editor-maintained directory focused on travel and vacation planning and research.
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Hong_Kong Hong Kong travel guide at Wikitravel]

{{Mapit-US-cityscale|22.2|114.1}}
*[http://www.centamap.com/cent/index.htm Hong Kong Maps] CentaMap

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[[Category:Cities in China]]
[[Category:Coastal cities]]
[[Category:Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Special territories]]
[[Category:Dependent territories]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas]]