Hong Kong, administrative region of

China, consisting of a mainland portion located on the countrys southeastern coast and about 235 islands. Hong Kong is bordered on the north by Guangdong Province and on the east, west, and south by the South China Sea. Hong Kong was a British dependency from the 1840s until July 1, 1997, when it passed to Chinese sovereignty as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). The British control of Hong Kong began in 1842, when China was forced to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain after the First Opium War. In 1984 Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong return to Chinese rule in 1997 as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. The Joint Declaration and a Chinese law called the Basic Law, which followed in 1990, provide for the SAR to operate with a high degree of economic autonomy for 50 years beyond 1997.

Hong Kong and Kowloon The city of Hong Kong, left, faces Victoria Harbor on the northern part of Hong Kong Island. Kowloon, right, is situated across the harbor on the mainland. Both are part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China.

Hong Kong's Sea of Signs During the past 30 years, Hong Kong has emerged as one of Asia's most prosperous cities. Jewelry, electronic goods, Chinese silks, expert tailoring, and traditional crafts are available here in great variety and at competitive prices. An endless parade of bargains lures more than 4 million tourists to Hong Kong every year.

Hong Kong Housing Densely packed high-rise apartments in Hong Kong demonstrate population pressures that shape the city and other urban centers, especially in the developing world. Large numbers of people from rural backgrounds, many from mainland China, come to Hong Kong seeking work.

New Territories, Hong Kong In 1898 Britain leased from China a large area of agricultural land and surrounding waters and added it to Hong Kong. The British named the region the New Territories and developed the area into numerous new towns. In 1984 Britain agreed to return the New Territories and the rest of Hong Kong to China upon the expiration of the lease in 1997.

Street Scene, Hong Kong Much of Hong Kongs population is concentrated on Hong Kong Island and across Victoria Harbor in Kowloon. Population densities there reach as high as 40,000 people per sq km (100,000 per sq mi), among the highest in the world.

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Parade participants wear costumes in the form of mythical creatures as part of the Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong. The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and takes place between January 21 and February 19, depending on the lunar calendar. Celebrations begin with several days of cleaning to show the kitchen god special respect. Popular communal events include the dragon and lion dances, which take place in the street. Dragon Boat Festival The races commemorate the heroic suicide of Qu Yuan, a respected 3rd-century-bc scholar who threw himself into a river when his earlier predictions of political disaster ignored by the emperorcame true. The races emulate the actions of the inhabitants of Qu's village, who rowed their boats out onto the river upon hearing of his tragic death.

Fresh Noodles In his kitchen benevolently guarded by a small religious shrine, a Hong Kong cook stretches out noodle dough like taffy. Among the many regional cuisines available in Hong Kong restaurants, the hearty dishes originating in northern China generally feature noodles rather than rice. Lunchtime crowds fill the popular dim sum restaurants to sample the daily selection of delicate, steaming hors d'oeuvres.

Chinese Pharmacy

Hong Kong Candy

Island Monastery

The Po Lin Monastery is on Tai Yue Shan, in Hong Kong's New Territories. Located on a steep hill near the south coast, this Buddhist monastery is situated between the Skek Pik reservoir and the Fung Wong Shan. Lying at the mouth of the Zhu Jiang, just west of Hong Kong Island, Tai Yue Shan is 150 sq km (58 sq mi) in size and is home to several religious institutions. At Tai Shui Hang, on the northeast coast, is the Trappist Haven, a closed Christian order whose members maintain a strict vow of silence.

Hong Kong's Textile Industry

Sha Tin Racecourse

Hong Kong Stock Traders Hundreds of traders keep close watch on their computer screens in one of Hong Kong's several stock exchanges. As a chief financial center, Hong Kong also serves as a vital intermediary on investment and foreign exchange between mainland China and the rest of the world.

Fishing in Hong Kong Fishing is an important source of income and trade for Hong Kong. Due to an extreme land shortage, the government must import most of its food supply. The residents in this photo are fishing in Aberdeen Bay near Hong Kong.

Chris Patten Chris Patten was the last British governor of Hong Kong, serving from 1992 until the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

Pro-democracy Protest

Pro-democracy activists carry a red banner printed with the words Democracy for Hong Kong during a march along a Hong Kong street on July 1, 1997. The protest was the first major pro-democracy demonstration under Chinese rule.

Tung Chee-hwa
In 1997 Tung Chee-hwa became the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Citing health reasons, he resigned the post in 2005, two years before his second term was set to expire.