Hong Kong

Hong Kong, British Crown colony on the coast of southeast China, about 90 mi (145 km) from Canton, consisting of mainland territories and numerous offshore islands. Hong Kong island was ceded to the British after the Opium War in 1842. Mainland Hong Kong includes Kowloon, acquired in 1860, and the New Territories, leased to Britain for 99 years in 1898. In 1985 an agreement was reached between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China regarding the turnover of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Of the rocky land surface, 75% is unsuitable for building, and a mere 14% is urbanized, accommodating 90% of the population. Since the early 1900s refugees from China's political upheavals have swelled the colony's population. During Japanese wartime occupation (1941–45) the trend was briefly reversed, but since then the population has increased rapidly. Hong Kong is a free trade area and one of the world's principal ports. It has much light industry, particularly textiles and electrical goods. The colony depends on China for most of its food and water. In 1997 Hong Kong was turned over to China. In 1998 a new airport came into use, situated in the sea.