About Hongkong
Beginning as a trading port, Hong Kong became a dependent territory of the United Kingdom in 1842. This lasted until the territory's transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in July 1997.
Administered under the "one country, two systems" policy, as written in the Hong Kong Basic Law, the territory is largely self-governing. It has its own currency, independent legal and political systems, sends its own delegation to many international events, and maintains a high degree of autonomy in all areas except foreign affairs and defence, which is the responsibility of central authorities in Beijing. As a result of this special arrangement, Hong Kong is generally considered to be separate from mainland China.
The territory prospered under British administration to become a center for business, transportation, culture, and finance in Asia, and retained this status after its transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. Today, Hong Kong is renowned for its expansive skyline and natural setting, and is one of the world's leading financial capitals, a major business and cultural hub, and maintains a highly developed capitalist economy. Its identity as a cosmopolitan centre where east meets west is reflected in its cuisine, cinema, music and traditions. Although the population is predominantly Chinese, residents and expatriates of other ethnicities form a small but significant segment of Hong Kong's society. With a population of 7 million people, but only 1,108 km2 (428 sq mi) of land, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
Hong Kong is subdivided into 18 geographic districts for administrative purposes, each represented by a district council that advises the government on local matters such as public facilities, community programmes, cultural activities and environmental improvements. There are a total of 534 district councils seats, 405 of which are elected, while the rest are appointed by the Chief Executive and 27 ex officio chairmen of rural committees.[42] The government's Home Affairs Department communicates government policies and plans to the public through the district offices.
The 18 districts can be split into three areas, often used for statistical purposes. Hong Kong Island is the original 1842 colony, and contains Hong Kong's financial core on its northern coast. Kowloon is to the north across Victoria Harbour, the southern part of which was ceded in 1860. The much larger New Territories was the final addition to Hong Kong's territory in 1898.
As a special administrative region, Hong Kong is governed as a unitary authority, and as such there are no formal definitions for its cities and towns. One such example is Victoria City, which was one of the first urban settlements in Hong Kong after it became a colony, and was considered Hong Kong's capital city during British rule.[43] Its historic boundary, along with that of Kowloon and New Kowloon, remain stated in law, but has not had any legal or administrative status since 1982.
