Where is Hong Kong in the World?
Hong Kong is a territory located in the southeast of China. The official name of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern Asia, Hong Kong is southeast of China, also known as the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong shares borders with more than one significant body of water as well as well as China.
Total Area and Population
Hong Kong has a population of approximately 7,455,564 people. The total area of Hong Kong is 1,063 square miles. The population density is a value calculated by dividing the population of Hong Kong by the entire area. In doing that, we come up with a value of 7,023.7, which rounds to 7,013 people per square mile. Hong Kong ranks as the 4th most dense country in terms of the relationship between population and total area.
GPS Coordinates and Surroundings of Hong Kong
The GPS coordinates of Hong Kong are 22.3964° N, and 114.1095° E. Hong Kong is broken up into three territories. The New Territories are located in the northern region of Hong Kong. To the south lies Hong Kong Island. The Kowloon Peninsula is also in the south, but it is north of Hong Kong Island. Unlike Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula is part of the mainland of Hong Kong.
A few bodies of water surround Hong Kong. The Tsing Yi Lagoon is located in the south of Hong Kong, just outside of the Tsing Yi Island. The Pearl River trickles down through Hong Kong where it eventually becomes part of the South China Sea, another body of water that surrounds the border of Hong Kong.
Beyond the water along the coasts of Hong Kong, there are numerous other water sources within the confines of Hong Kong’s boundaries.
- 63 bays
- 24 rivers
- Three major lakes
- 14 channels
Levels of Elevation
The highest point of elevation is located in the New Territories Region of Hong Kong. Tai Mo Shan, a coastal peak central to the New Territories, reaches an altitude of 3,139.76 feet above sea level. The lowest point of elevation in Hong Kong is along the southern border, where the land meets the water of the South China Sea. This point is 0 feet above sea level, seeing that it is level with the sea.
Considering its prominence in recent news headlines, it is reasonable to ask: is Hong Kong a country? Hong Kong is not a country, but a city and a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China.
Governance
Hong Kong used to be a British Colony between 1842 and 1997. In 1997, Hong Kong gained independence, and the United Kingdom returned it to China. The special administrative region is ruled by the "one country, two systems" principle, under which the territory has political and economic autonomy. The central Chinese government has jurisdiction in Hong Kong only in matters pertaining to foreign policy and defense.
The territory is governed by a Chief Executive, elected by an Election Committee comprising Hong Kong residents from several professions, trades, and interest groups. A Legislative Council of 70 members conducts legislative roles. 35 are elected by the general population, while special group constituencies elect the rest.
Size and Population
Hong Kong spawns over 1,098 square kilometers. It has a population of 7.2 million and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The major languages used in Hong Kong are Chinese and English.
Economy
Hong Kong is highly developed and is the world's freest economy. Its economy is primarily service-oriented, with the services sectors contributing a staggering 93.4% of the city’s GDP.