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Hong Kong

Official Name:

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Location / Map:

Latitude: 22°16’42.16″ N (Central HK)
Longitutde: 114°11’01.72″ E (Central HK)
Elevation: 43m (Central HK)

Weather / Climate

Tropical monsoon. Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Typhoon season is May to November. When a typhoon is approaching, warnings are broadcast on TV and radio, and signals indicate the storm’s distance from Hong Kong.

Seasons

Spring (March to mid-May)

Temperature and humidity rising. Spring evenings can be cool so a lightweight jacket should suffice. Temperatures range from 18C to 27C with humidity around 82%.

Summer (Late May to mid-September)

Hot and humid. Temperatures range from 26C to 33C with humidity around 86%. Short sleeves and cotton are best, with a lightweight sweater for air-conditioned restaurants. An umbrella or hat can ward off the intense sunshine.

Autumn (Late September to early December)

Temperatures and humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Short sleeves and light jackets should be fine. Temperatures range from 18C to 28C with humidity around 72%.

Winter (Mid-December to February)

Cool with low humidity. Temperatures can drop to 10C. Occasional chills can make woolens and overcoats worth bringing. Temperatures range from 14C to 20C with humidity of around 72%.

Geography

Area:

1,100 sq. km.; Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous small islands.

Terrain:

Hilly to mountainous, with steep slopes and natural harbor.

History

According to archaeological studies initiated in the 1920s, human activity on Hong Kong dates back over five millennia. Excavated neolithic artifacts suggest an influence from northern Chinese stone-age cultures. The territory was settled by Han Chinese during the seventh century, A.D., evidenced by the discovery of an ancient tomb at Lei Cheung Uk in Kowloon. The first major migration from northern China to Hong Kong occurred during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279). The British East India Company made the first successful sea venture to China in 1699, and Hong Kong’s trade with British merchants developed rapidly soon after. After the Chinese defeat in the First Opium War (1839-42), Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanking. Britain was granted a perpetual lease on the Kowloon Peninsula under the 1860 Convention of Beijing, which formally ended hostilities in the Second Opium War (1856-58). The United Kingdom, concerned that Hong Kong could not be defended unless surrounding areas also were under British control, executed a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898, significantly expanding the size of the Hong Kong colony.

In the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, Hong Kong developed as a warehousing and distribution center for U.K. trade with southern China. After the end of World War II and the communist takeover of Mainland China in 1949, hundreds of thousands of people fled from China to Hong Kong. Hong Kong became an economic success and a manufacturing, commercial, finance, and tourism center. High life expectancy, literacy, per capita income, and other socioeconomic measures attest to Hong Kong’s achievements over the last five decades.

Flag

The flag of Hong Kong is red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center.

People

Hong Kong’s population has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching about 6.9 million by 2004. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with an overall density of some 6,380 people per square kilometer. Cantonese, the official Chinese language in Hong Kong, is spoken by most of the population. English, also an official language, is widely understood. It is spoken by more than one-third of the population. Every major religion is practiced freely in Hong Kong. All children are required by law to be in full-time education between the ages of 6 and 15. Preschool education for most children begins at age 3. Primary school begins normally at the age of 6 and lasts for 6 years. At about age 12, children progress to a 3-year course of junior secondary education. Most stay on for a 2-year senior secondary course, while others join full-time vocational training. More than 90% of children complete upper secondary education or equivalent vocational education.

Population (2004):

6.9 million

Population growth rate (2004):

1.0%

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 95%

Other 5%.

Religions:

About 43% participate in some form of religious practice. Christian, about 9.6%.

Languages:

Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese) and English are official

Education:

Literacy–92% (95% male, 88% female)

Health (2004):

Infant mortality rate: 2.7/1,000

Life expectancy: 81.9 yrs. (overall); 79.0 yrs. males, 84.7 yrs. females.

Work force (2004):

3.5 million.

Wholesale, retail, and import/export trades and restaurants and hotels: 28.4%;

Finance, insurance, real estate, and business services: 12.7%

Manufacturing: 4.7%

Government

Type

Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with its own constitution (the Basic Law)

Branches

Executive–Administration — Next Chief Executive Selection in March 2007

Executive Council, serving in an advisory role for the Chief Executive.

Legislative–Legislative Council elected in September 2004. Judicial–Court of Final Appeal is highest court, other lower courts.

Subdivisions:

Hong Kong

Kowloon

New Territories

Suffrage

Permanent residents, at 18 years or over, living in Hong Kong for the past 7 years are eligible to vote.

Economy (2004)

GDP (2004):

$165.5 billion

GDP real growth rate (2004):

8.2%

Per capita GDP (2004):

$24,045

Natural resources

Outstanding deepwater harbor

Industry Types:

Textiles

Clothing

Electronics

Plastics

Toys

Watches

Clocks

Trade (Exports):

$259 billion. Clothing, electronics, textiles, watches and clocks, office machinery

Trade (Imports)

$271 billion. Consumer goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuels