Hong Kong

Hong Kong ( (); Chinese: 香港, Hong Kong Cantonese: [hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ] (), literally "Fragrant Port"), officially The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China (HKSAR), is one of two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of China (the other is Macau). It is one of the richest and most developed parts in the world, and one where the cost of living is one of the highest. Hong Kong grew quickly in the decades after World War II, becoming a famous world-class financial centre. Hong Kong was one of the last territories of the British Empire until 1997, when United Kingdom handed it over to China. China then promised to grant it special status for 50 years. The population of Hong Kong is over seven million. The economy has rapidly grown from a trading port to a very rich city. Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world. Hong Kong is divided into 3 main parts: Hong Kong Island Kowloon New Territories (including 235 outlying islands) Hong Kong was a British colony from 1842 to 1997 as China surrendered the city after losing the Second Opium War. After the handover in 1997, Hong Kong became under Chinese control under special status. Hong Kong has its own constitution that is different from that of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Climate Hong Kong is in a sub-tropical area, and has monsoon winds. It is cool and wet in winter (January-March), hot and rainy from spring through summer (April-September), and warm, sunny and dry in the autumn (October-December). The rainy season is from May until September. In summer and early autumn, there is a frequent threat of typhoons. Population and language The population of Hong Kong reached 7.5 million (7,503,100) in 2023. Most of the people in Hong Kong are Chinese. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It has an overall population density of 6,300 people per square kilometre. Hong Kong has one of the world’s lowest birth rates — 1.05 per woman at an age of being capable to give birth as of 2019. This is far below the rate needed to replace each person, 2.1. People from Hong Kong mainly speak Cantonese. Students are required to learn English at school. Ever since Hong Kong became a part of China, the number of people who speak Mandarin has increased because Mandarin is the official language of China. Public holidays In Hong Kong, 17 days of the year are public holidays: 1 January - New Year's Day, the beginning of the year Chinese New Year (3 public holidays) Ching Ming Festival, also known as "Tomb Sweeping Day" Easter (3 public holidays) 1 May - Labour Day The Buddha's birthday Dragon Boat Festival 1 July - Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day The day after Mid-Autumn Festival 1 Oct - Chinese National Day Chung Yeung Festival - a day when people honour their ancestors, similar to "Tomb Sweeping Day", and people often do something for the olds who is still living 25 December - Christmas 26 December - Boxing Day Currency There are coins from 10 cents to 10 Hong Kong Dollars and bank-notes (paper money bills) from $10 to $1000. One American dollar equals to HK$7.80±0.05 Hong Kong Dollars, according to the official pegged exchange rate. Public transport Mass Transit Railway (MTR) which was established in 1979, owns seven lines (10 lines after KCR merger), Kwun Tong Line (running between Whampoa and Tiu Keng Leng) Tsuen Wan Line (running between Tsuen Wan and Central) Island Line (running between Kennedy Town and Chai Wan) South Island Line (running between Admiralty and South Horizons) Tseung Kwan O Line (running between North Point and Po Lam/LOHAS Park) Tung Chung Line (running between Tung Chung and Hong Kong) Airport Express (running between AsiaWorld-Expo and Hong Kong) Disneyland Resort Line (running between Sunny Bay and Disneyland Resort) East Rail Line (running between Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau and Admiralty) Tuen Ma Line (running between Tuen Mun and Wu Kai Sha) Bus: there are four major bus companies in Hong Kong, namely KMB which mainly serves Kowloon and New Territories, New World First Bus, which mainly serves Hong Kong Island, New Lantau Bus, which mainly serves Lantau Island, and Citybus, which mainly serves airport routes. Public Light Bus: in the 1960s, it was an illegal transportation, but later on, the government noticed that if there were only buses in Hong Kong, then some villages in N.T. will not have a public transport. Therefore, the Legislative Council made it legal and under government regulation. Tram (running between Kennedy Town, Happy Valley, and Shau Kei Wan) Peak Tram (running between Garden Road and Victoria Peak) Taxi [Red (Kowloon and Hong Kong Island), Green (New Territories), and Blue (Lantau Island)] Ferry (Lots of different companies, including the Star Ferry, First Ferry and Fortune Ferry) Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport. It is the busiest airport in the world in terms of cargo traffic. Education Hong Kong's education system is mostly based on the English system. Children are required to be in school from age 6 until completing secondary school (high school) at age 18. Universities Hong Kong has 11 Universities: University of Hong Kong Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong Polytechnic University City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Baptist University Education University of Hong Kong Lingnan University Hong Kong Metropolitan University Hong Kong Shue Yan University Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Housing in Hong Kong According to the International Housing Affordability survey, Hong Kong has the most unaffordable housing market in the world since 2010. Timeline of Hong Kong Here is a brief history of Hong Kong: Around 4000 BC Sea levels rose above 100 meters Around 3500 BC Ceramic forms decorated with a wide range of patterns Around 2000 BC Bronze weapons, knives, arrowheads & tools. Metal worked locally Around 500 BC Ancient Chinese writing developed 221 BC People from Mainland China came to Hong Kong 220 BC Coins from the Chinese Han period were used in Hong Kong 1555 A Portuguese named Jorge Álvares was the first European to reach Hong Kong 1799 China banned the drug trade in Hong Kong 1800 Opium became a huge business 1839 Lin Zexu was appointed Special Commissioner The First Opium war began 1841 Hong Kong was given to the British and became a dependent territory of United Kingdom Lord Palmerston wrote that Hong Kong was a barren island with only a few houses on it January 26, 1841 The British flag was raised at Possession Point, on Hong Kong Island August 1841 Sir Henry Pottinger became Hong Kong's first governor The Treaty of Nanjing was signed, ending the First Opium War 1860 China was defeated in the Second Opium War. Boundary Street and Stonecutter's Island were leased to Britain 1888 The Peak Tram started operating on Hong Kong Island 1898 Lantau Island and the New Territories were leased to the British for 99 years 1900s Hong Kong became a refuge for exiles from China 1920s-1930s Western dress began to come in fashion for the locals 1933-1934 Father Daniel Finn began excavations on Lamma Island 1941 Refugees fleeing the Chinese Communist Party came to Hong Kong December 8, 1941 The Empire of Japan invaded Hong Kong December 25, 1941 The British authorities surrendered Hong Kong to the Japanese Army August 1945 Britain reclaimed its territory after Japan's surrender 1949 Double-decker buses were introduced to Hong Kong 1950 Hong Kong became a free port 1953 The Shek Kip Mei Estate was built, establishing the program of public housing 1955 A Han period tomb was discovered near Lei Cheng Uk 1983 The Hong Kong dollar was tied to the US dollar 1984 China and Britain signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration 1990 The Hong Kong Basic Law was confirmed 1997 Asia's financial crisis Archaeologists discovered 20 graves on the island of Ma Wa Tung Chee Wa elected as the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Voting was conducted by 400 committees of an electoral college whose members are appointed by the Chinese Government. July 1, 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China for 50 years 1998 Hong Kong International Airport opened, replacing Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon June 2002 Tung Chee Hwa was elected as Chief Executive for a second term. 2003 Citizens wanted a more democratic and republican system The SARS epidemic began March 10, 2005 Tung Chee Hwa resigned as chief executive because of health problems. June 16, 2005 Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was elected unopposed as Chief Executive. March 2012 Leung Chun Ying was elected as Chief Executive. 2014 People occupied the Central region to demand universal suffrage for the next chief executive election, to take place in 2017. 2015 The government voted against the universal suffrage demanded by the people. 2016 There were more protests in Mong Kok because the government voted against universal suffrage. Police had to use pepper spray and Tear gas on the protesters to get them to leave. 2019 Protestors in Hong Kong demonstrated against a new extradition law proposed by the Hong Kong government.It was the largest protest in Hong Kong's history. This law would allow Hong Kong to send people to other jurisdictions where they have committed a crime, including mainland China. People opposed this because of the poor reputation of China due to allegations of torture, forced confessions and arbitrary detentions. There were fears that the bill would just bring Hong Kong closer under China's control, even though Hong Kong have their own judicial system. 2020 The Hong Kong National Security Law is created. This law will give Beijing, more power to control Hong Kong. Beijing also put a security office in Hong Kong. The law was created at 11 P.M. on 30 June 2020, Hong Kong Time. Media Hong Kong has a few media companies, notably Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), HK Television Entertainment (HKTVE), and Fantastic Television. Access to television is not affected by Chinese regulations, such as the Great Firewall, which filters and blocks certain programs. Places in Hong Kong Hong Kong Disneyland Victoria Peak Victoria Park Ocean Park Man Mo Temple Repulse Bay Hong Kong Park Yuen Po Street Bird Garden Hong Kong Museum of History Hong Kong Space Museum Hong Kong Museum of Science & Technology Wong Tai Sin Temple Fung Ying Sin Koon Kowloon Walled City Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Sham Tung Uk Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha on Lantau Island (currently the largest bronze Buddha in world) Cheung Chau (Long Island) Chek Lap Kok Clock Tower, Hong Kong Notes References Other websites "Hong Kong". The World Factbook. CIA. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2010.