Hong Kong
Dateline: 06/30/97 (Rev. 12/04/97)As China assumes control of their new Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, it is important to understand the history and geography of this vibrant economic enclave in Southeast Asia.
History
Great Britain originally took control of Hong Kong with its excellent deep-water port during the nineteenth century Opium Wars with China. Following the First Opium War the treaty of Nanjing was signed, giving Britain full control of Hong Kong forever. Following additional conflicts, additional land was ceded to Britain and the 1898 treaty called for a 99-year lease of the new territory. On July 1, that 99-year lease expires and Hong Kong reverts to Chinese control and an official name change to Xianggang.
Hong Kong's port made it a prized possession of the British Empire and helped contribute to the territory's success in the Pacific Rim. After the Communist victory of 1949 in China, Hong Kong began changing from a minor port to a major economic power in the global economy. A 1950 United Nations embargo on trade with China kept Hong Kong from continuing trade with their main partner. Hong Kong had a large base of human resources but no natural resources. They turned this to their advantage by importing raw materials, building factories, and began exporting finished goods such as textiles, clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, and watches and clocks. Now Hong Kong is one of the most productive and wealthy areas of Southeast Asia.
Geography
The 6.3 million residents of Hong Kong live on the Kowloon Peninsula adjacent to the Pearl (Xi Jang) River estuary, the mainland New Territories, Hong Kong (Xianggang) Island and an additional 254 outlying islands. Although it was described as a "barren rock" just 150 years ago, Hong Kong now has one of the most dense populations in the world (13,874 per square mile or 5351 per square kilometer). Life expectancy from birth is very high - 82 years compared to 76 years in the United States and United Kingdom and 69 years in China.
Most of Hong Kong is hilly (the highest point is 958 meters). 7% of the land is arable and 12% is forested. Typhoons are the area's primary natural hazard. Even though Hong Kong is located in the tropics (at a latitude of 22.5° north) the tropical monsoons which occur from May through August moderate the temperature to a year-round average of 72°F and 22°C.
What's Next?
Hong Kong is adjacent to the China's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Shenzhen which has benefited from its proximity to the world's eighth largest trading economy. SEZs in China have more economic freedoms than other areas and within these SEZs and especially Shenzhen, high-rise buildings are popping up and a boom in prosperity is occurring. China promises to maintain Hong Kong's existing economic, social, and legal systems for at least 50 years. China will benefit greatly by maintaining the status quo in Hong Kong, allowing it to continue as an "economic tiger" of the world's fastest growing region.For more information, visit my Maps and Geography of Hong Kong page.
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Sources: CIA World Factbook 1996, 1997 World Almanac and Book of Facts, and Geography, Realms, Regions and Concepts. Public domain map from the CIA World Factbook.
