What Is the Capital City of Hong Kong?

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The capital city of Hong Kong is Hong Kong. While the city of Victoria used to house the capital, it now rests in a central location of Hong Kong. In 1841, Britain took control over the island of Hong Kong. It was not until 1997 that Britain returned Hong Kong to China. Today, it maintains its economic independence in many ways.

What Is Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is an independent city-state in China, meaning that Hong Kong falls under Chinese rule in some ways. This came about because the United Kingdom transferred rule of the region to China. Hong Kong is generally self-governing, and it has its own currency.

Today, Hong Kong encompasses about 382 square miles of land and is home to about 7,113,000, according to estimates from 2014. The city-state consists of the main island of Hong Kong, Stonecutter’s Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. There are more than 260 islands that make up the city-state. Some are completely uninhabited.

Language in Hong Kong

Most people who live in Hong Kong speak Cantonese, which is a language that has nine tones. Some people in the country may speak Mandarin, which uses a completely different alphabet. Additionally, English is one of the country’s official languages as well.

Food in Hong Kong

Some of the food in Hong Kong is truly unforgettable. Dim sum originated in Hong Kong with a name that means “touch the heart.” Originally, dim sum was meant as a snack food for travelers. Today, it is a dish that is easy to find throughout the city.

Other popular foods found throughout Hong Kong include egg tarts and pineapple buns. If you want something a little more upscale, the city also hosts a variety of restaurants and chefs with Michelin stars.

Economy in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the richest cities in the world. A major factor in the local economy is tourism. The city hosted more than 41.92 million visitors in 2011 alone. All of this helps make Hong Kong International Airport one of the busiest airports in the world.

Generally, Hong Kong’s economy is associated with low taxation, low government intervention, and free trade. The city-state can make many of its own decisions, even though it is heavily influenced by China.

Facts About Hong Kong

While many people consider Hong Kong to be a large city with many skyscrapers, about 40 percent of the city is made up of parks and nature preserves. Even in the city, you will find many places to hike.

Even the name of the region has a unique spin. The name of Hong Kong comes from the Chinese words for “fragrant harbor.” The actual full name associated with the city-state is Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate. The winters are cool and dry, and the summers are hot and rainy. The driest months are January and December, and the wettest months are June and August.