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Hong Kong is a sophisticated Asian cosmopolitan with vivid cultural diversity and international lifestyle. With a unique blend of ancient Chinese traditions and British colonial heritage, this exciting city is brimming with dynamism and energy. Hong Kong is a land of opportunities and preserves the potential to determine the direction of whole Asian trade and commerce. Among these entire modern buzz, the metropolis manages to hold forth peace and tranquillity and emerge as a haven of tourism. From unspoilt natural parklands and spectacular sceneries to world-class multi-media light and sound show staged across the Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong is truly Asia’s world city. Envisaging Hong Kong as a premier tourist destination, several exquisite hotels, bed and breakfasts and other forms of luxurious accommodations have come up in the city. However, taking apartments for rent or boarding in hostels are other affordable options available in Hong Kong.
The territory of Hong Kong consists of the Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. It is basically a conglomeration of 236 islands above the South China Sea. Lantau is the largest of all the islands and the terrain of Hong Kong are adjoined to mainland China through the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. Situated on the mouth of the Pearl River, Hong Kong is located 60 km to the east of Macau and shares a land border with the Chinese city of Shenzhen to the north. The landscape of the territory is basically rugged with mountain ranges and hilly slopes that reach the peak at Tai Mo Shan, with height of 958 metres. Victoria is the best natural harbour of the country, which is situated over a granite disposition at the foothill of the Victoria Peak. The area surrounding this region houses majority of the population of Hong Kong that mainly consists of ethnic Chinese.
Hong Kong view at night
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Hong Kong enjoys a mild climate from the middle of September to the end of February, while the weather from May to mid-September is rather warm and humid. The summers reflect the sub tropical weather conditions with high mercury levels and spurts of rains.
Administratively, Hong Kong is a political paradox with an independent identity within the People’s Republic of China. Officially, it is addressed as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Under the ‘one country, two system’ policy of China, Hong Kong preserves high-degree of autonomy in all areas except foreign and defence affairs. Though the president of China is the chief of the state for Hong Kong, in reality, it is governed by a chief executive who serves as the head of state. The unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO of the country consists of 60 seats and the members are elected popularly for four years. The brief constitution of Hong Kong is known as the Basic Law.
Hong Kong at Victoria Harbor
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From pre-historic times, Hong Kong has been very part of China until it lost to Britain in the Opium Wars of 19th century. The British connection was solidified when in July 1898 Britain was leased the New Territories for 99 years. Hong Kong developed dramatically as a major trade and export point of Asia after this period. The prosperity was hindered during the Japanese occupation of Second World War. Hong Kong also suffered major influx of immigrants from China due to political disturbances. Finally, in 1984 Britain agreed to hand over the realms of Hong Kong to China and on 1st July 1997, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
However, the economic breakthrough of Hong Kong remained uninterrupted as it enjoys social, economic and legal independence for next 50 years starting from 1997. Today, it is an important international trading zone and textile and electronics industries are the mainstay of Hong Kong economy. Nowadays, it boasts of a growth rate of around 6.5 % on average.
Hong Kong skyline viewed from The Peak
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