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Asia

Hong Kong

Skyscrapers on Hong Kong IslandSkyscrapers on Hong Kong IslandOnce a British colony, Hong Kong—officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China—is now an autonomous territory of China. It is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary in East Asia. It forms part of the Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region (PRD) which, with a population of about 60 million people, is one of the largest urban areas in the world. Hong Kong itself has a population of more than 7.3 million, and, with approximately the same area as the English county of Dorset, is the fourth-most densely populated region in the world. Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world, the majority surrounding Victoria Harbour, which lies in the heart of the city's built-up area.

Star FerryStar Ferry

Name

The name “Hong Kong” was originally given to an inlet between the southern coast of Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen Island, one of the outlying islands. It was probably an English version of the Cantonese spoken pronunciation of the words heung gong, which mean "Fragrant Harbour” or "Incense Harbour". This may have been because of the sweet taste of the fresh water from the Pearl River estuary, or the incense from factories lining the coast nearby.

Satellite image of Hong Kong (urban areas in pink)Satellite image of Hong Kong (urban areas in pink)

A map of Hong Kong districtsA map of Hong Kong districts

Land and climate

The Bauhinia orchid flower, native to the region, is a symbol for Hong Kong. It appears on the territorial flag and emblem.

 

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