Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant places to visit in the Far East. Hong Kong is an Autonomous region of China, with its own distinct culture, currency and emigration rules. Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant places to visit in the Far East; more than 20 million visitors travel to Hong Kong each year. Hong Kong's population is about 7 million giving a population density around 6,500 people per square kilometer and making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. The majority of Hong Kong's population is Han Chinese (95%), though there are also sizable numbers of other Chinese groups and a significant number of Indian, Pakistani, Filipinos, Indonesians and Thais.
Hong Kong is divided into four main areas - Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories are on a peninsula of the Chinese mainland, on the northern side of Victoria Harbor; Hong Kong Island is on the southern side of the harbor facing Kowloon; the Outlying Islands refers to any of the other 260 islands.
Hong Kong Island was the site of the original British settlement. The northern part of the island is densely populated. Here, because of the scarcity of land, you'll find most of Hong Kong's skyscrapers and the famous skyline along the northern coastline. The main business, shopping and nightlife districts, in addition to the government offices, can be found here. The southern part of the island has more leisure facilities, with beautiful beaches and luxury residential complexes.
Kowloon is the peninsula jutting south towards Hong Kong Island. It is the most populous area in Hong Kong and at one time it was the most densely populated place in the world. Kowloon literally means nine dragons and refers to the eight hills that were once visible before the skyscrapers took the view away. Legend has it that the ninth dragon was the boy emperor who counted the hills.
The New Territories, named by the British officials when leased from the Chinese government in 1898, are a curious mix of farms, abandoned villages, industrial installations, mountainous country parks and new towns that have populations the size of small cities.
The Outlying Islands are 262 other islands in the territory ranging from Lantau (twice the size of Hong Kong Island) to rocks poking out of the sea.
