Hong Kong, SAR China: Transitions and return to the motherland

A HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF HONG KONG Hong Kong is situated at the southeastern tip of the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the outlying islands, and the New Territories are collectively included as “Hong Kong,” spanning an area of 1,100 km2. Hong Kong became a British colony in 1841 after the Opium War. It began with a population of 3,650 scattered over 20 villages, and 2,000 fishermen living aboard their boats. Hong Kong received an unparalleled influx of immigrants from Guangdong and Shanghai in 1948–1949 after the defeat of the Chinese Nationalist Government. By mid-1950, the population had swelled to 2.2 million, and it currently stands at 6.8 million (Information Services Department of Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China, 2002b). In 1997, Hong Kong was re-united with Mainland China as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the one-country–two-systems principle. Hong Kong was promised a continuation of its pre-existing capitalistic and political system for fifty years. ECOLOGICAL FEATURES Mountains dominate Hong Kong's natural terrain. The main island of Hong Kong and nearby Kowloon peninsula are populated with high-rise residential and office buildings. Rural and farming land in the New Territories are increasingly rebuilt into residential complexes, giving rise to new towns. Hong Kong is linked with good roads, extensive railway and underground networks, and efficient public transport services. Communication and travel within Hong Kong can be made with ease.