Description

Hong Kong today is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The region is comprised of more than 260 islands, which include Hong Kong Is. and Lantau Is., which incorporates the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories adjoined to the mainland of China. It is located on the east side of the Pearl River Delta, where it borders the Guangdong Province and faces the South China Sea on the east, west, and south. The terrain consists of irregular mountains and hills, which depict a subtropical climate that is prone to monsoons.

Once a colony of the United Kingdom, but after 150 yrs. of rule, the region was handed back to the People\'s Republic of China in July of 1997. The autonomy of the region is guaranteed through various Laws and Declarations until 2047. The Chinese government vows to keep a one country – 2 system government, which leaves Hong Kong with a limited democracy as a government type. The region is considered to be a highly capitalist economy, a global center of trade, with a free market, low taxes, and non-intervention of the government, which employs the U.S. dollar as of 1983.

Hong Kong has made a huge impact in the world of architecture. The modern style of buildings throughout the city is one of the most famous in the world. The commercial skyscrapers that line the coast of Victoria Harbor is a widely known tourist attraction because of its beauty. Hong Kong is strongly influenced by Western culture, which is very apparent when walking through the busy streets that have bilingual stores. There will be a McDonalds on one corner and a shop selling Chinese herbal medicines on the next.  Furthermore, the restaurants serve various levels of convenience and diverse cuisine. The Chinese cuisine includes rice, noodles, with various meats and sauces. The people enjoy karaoke, which is part of their night life. Hong Kong has also made its mark in the entertainment industry, as it has widely influenced American movies.

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