Hong Kong is one of the most unique places on earth. Known for its majestic skyline and being one of the leading financial centers in the world, it is a place where east meets west. Hong Kong, a former colony of the British Empire, is currently a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. For the most part Hong Kong is self-governing and has its own political and legal systems, as well as capitalist economy. 7 million people live on 428 square miles of land, making it a very densely populated area. Hong Kong’s major geographical areas include Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, Lantau Island, the New Territories and 260 other islands.
The area now known as Hong Kong has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. It became a British Colony as result of the opium wars with Great Britain beginning in 1839. Hong Kong served as a free port for the British Empire during the latter half of the nineteenth and first part of the 20th century. During World War II Japan invaded Hong Kong and defeated the British and Canadian forces there. Japan occupied Hong Kong from December 1941 until 1945. During the occupation, Hong Kong lost over half of its population due to food shortages and other results of the war. After the surrender of Japan, the United Kingdom once again controlled the colony of Hong Kong. The population began to increase once more, as many fled from the mainland of China during the Chinese Civil War and the subsequent founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Following World War II, Hong Kong quickly industrialized and become a major manufacturing center and leading exporter. During the 1980s and 1990s, the economy of Hong Kong shifted from being primarily manufacturing-based to one that was service-based, becoming one of the world’s leading financial and banking centers.
Great Britain’s lease of the New Territories was to expire in 1997, and negotiations began between the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China, to discuss Hong Kong’s sovereignty. In 1984 the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed. The United Kingdom agreed to transfer Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997, with the stipulation that Hong Kong would become a special administrative region, with its own laws and autonomy for 50 years at least following the transfer. Hong Kong also maintained its capitalist economy.
Hong Kong’s skyline has been rated as the greatest skyline in the world. Due to its lack of space, dense population, and highly capitalist economy, the region has seen the construction of a multitude of skyscrapers to accommodate the residential and commercial needs of the region. Hong Kong is home to 6,439 skyscrapers, with 38 of the world’s tallest 100 residential buildings. It is a center for modern architecture, with few older buildings remaining. Two International Finance Cente is the tallest building in Hong Kong, measuring in at 415 meters (1360 feet) high. Some of the other prominent skyscrapers in Hong Kong include the HSBC Headquarters Building, the Central Plaza with it’s distinct pyramid-shaped spire, world renown architect I.M. Pei’s Bank of Chinese Tower, and The Center which hosts a nightly multi-colored light show. There are quite a few development plans for new construction, as Hong Kong continues to be one of the leading financial centers in the world.