Now a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841 to 1997. Despite reunification, however, Hong Kong remains largely independent, with its own currency, legal and political systems and a great deal of autonomy in most affairs other than defense and foreign relations. The population is roughly seven million, of whom about 95% are Chinese. Cantonese is by far the majority language, although English is widely spoken through out the territory. Primarily a service economy, Hong Kong is very dependent on international trade and the financial sector, and has established itself since reunification as the premier market for Chinese companies planning to list themselves on a overseas exchange; it is equally an important entry point for Western investors in mainland China. Hong Kong attracts many tourists, and its culture is a synthesis of East and West, maintaining both the influence of its British rulers and the indigenous culture of the local Chinese population. Among other evidence of its British past, Hong Kong still supports a Morris dancing team and has a thriving population of British nationals. Thousands of restaurants, western-friendly facilities and a large expatriate population makes Hong Kong an attractive place for foreigners to live.
In terms of its geography, Hong Kong is composed of more than 250 islands covering approximately 1100km2, of which the most important are Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. Given the hilly terrain, only about 25% of the land in Hong Kong has been developed, and around 40% of the undeveloped land is protected as parks or nature reserves, belying the territory’s reputation as a completely urban environment. A temperate climate, Hong Kong boasts plenty of sun and relatively mild winters.
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