APASL 2009 HONG KONG

General Information

City

Once a British territory, now a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong enjoys autonomy in its affairs, including trade, business and the economy.

Population

6.9 Million. The major ethnicity of the Hong Kong population is Chinese. Over 5% of the population is foreign from the Philippines, Indonesia and the West.

Area

1, 104 sq. km. Hong Kong is consists of the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 260 outlying islands. 30% of the area is urban and 70% countryside and farmland.

Location

Latitude 22° 1 7' North; Longitude 114° 08' East. Hong Kong is situated at the south-eastern tip of China, bordering the Guangdong Province in its north, and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south.

Climate

Sub-tropical climate, with temperate weather for nearly half of the year. Temperature in winter (November - February) can fall below 10°C and that in summer (May - August) can rise above 31°C. 80% of rainfall occurs between May and September.

Language

Chinese and English are the official languages. English is widely used by the Government, the academic and business sectors. Putonghua is also widely spoken.

Currency

Hong Kong Dollars (HK$7.80 to US$1)

Service Charge

Restaurants and hotels 10%

Electricity

220V, 50Hz

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Dialing Code

International Regional Code: +852 ( Hong Kong )

Other Information

Promotional video clip

Hong Kong Tourism Board