Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China (S.A.R.) but formerly a British Crown Colony, which is adjacent to Guangdong province. Hong Kong Island was ceded by China in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanjing. China regained sovereignty of the colony on July 1, 1997. The capital is officially named Victoria but commonly called Hong Kong, which is on the northwest shore of Hong Kong island.
Central
Once famous for carousing sailors, this colouful district still offers exciting nightlife, as well as arts centres, office plazas and restaurants serving a diverse range of international cuisine.
Western
Hong Kong's most traditional 'China Town' area.
Admiralty
This is a convenient business location as well as a prime shopping, entertainment and dining district. Here you can find shopping malls, department stores, restaurants and a cinema complex all conveniently connected to the Admiralty MTR station.
Causeway Bay
A popular shopping, dining and nightlife area.
Aberdeen
On the islands south side, Aberdeen is an ancient fishing port with a long maritime history.
South Side
The beaches of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay, and the villages of Stanley and Shek are among these areas scenic treasures.
Victoria lies at the foot of Victoria Peak (1,805ft /550 m), the center of an extensively quarried granite range covering much of the island. Hong Kong has many natural harbors, that of Victoria being one of the finest in the world. The colony grew around this beautiful, sheltered, deepwater port, and today an estimated 75% of the population is concentrated there.
Because of the mountainous and rocky terrain, only about 6% of the land is arable; farming is carried on principally in the New Territories, and most food is imported from mainland China.
Hong Kong's rail link with the mainland is by the Kowloon-Guangzhou Railway. Kowloon is connected with Hong Kong Island, 1 mile (1.6 km) away, by ferry and by a vehicular tunnel. A new airport, on landfill extending from Chek Lap Kok Island, opened in 1998; highways and a high-speed rail system connect Victoria to the airport.
