Country's Full Name: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Native Name: Xianggang

Brief History: The word Hong Kong literally means “fragrant harbor” is derived from fragrant wood and incense stick once traded through it. Chinese settlers came in through the times of Qin (221 - 206BC) and Han (206BC - AD220) dynasties bringing their culture. Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in 1555. However, they could not sustain British domination. East India Company established a picket to protect their trading interest with China. Hong Kong in the mean time generated a big illegal opium business for the Europeans. Chinese forces clashed with the British to stop the illegal opium trade. Chinese lost the opium war, making Hong Kong a British colony. Treaty of Nanking in 1842 was signed ceding the territory to UK. Another conflict made British stronger; regaining the Hong Kong with nearby islands on 99 year lease. Japan acquired the territory briefly during the Second World War. British withdrew in 1997 ending the treaty. However, they made it sure to provide special administrative status to Hong Kong within China for another 50 years making “one country two rule”.

What is the country known for:
Hong Kong is the global center for trade.
Asian entertainment industry is the epicenter in Hong Kong. Most of the martial art movies are made here.
Hong Kong is unique with the fusion of east meeting west. Traditional Chinese and English culture can be found with cosmopolitan outlook.

Main Industries: Textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks

Agriculture - products: fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish

Main Trading Partners:
Exports partners (2006 estimated): China, US, Japan, Exports: $611.6 billion f.o.b., including reexports; Exports commodities: electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material

Imports partners (2006 estimated): China, Japan, Singapore, US, South Korea; Imports: $329.8 billion; Imports commodities: raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)

Major cities: Hong Kong Island (Victoria), Kowloon, New territories (Xinjie), Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Tseun Wan, Fanling Sheung Shui, Ma On Shan.

Location: Lying at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province of Guangdong (Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer.

Geographic Coordinates:
22 15 N, 114 10 E

Size: Total area: 1,092 sq km (land: 1,042 sq km/water/50 sq km)

Time Zone: UTC/GMT 8 hours

Type of Government:
Hong Kong enjoys limited democracy within the communist China. It has unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)

Chief of State: President of China - Hu Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
Head of government: Chief Executive - Donald Tsang (since 24 June 2005)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
14 Feb - 16 Feb Chinese New Year.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
6 Apr Ching Ming Festival.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Lord Buddha's Birthday.
16 Jun Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival.
1 Jul Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day.
23 Sep Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
1 Oct National Day.
16 Oct Chung Yeung Festival.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Note
Religious festivals are timed according to the lunar calendar and variations may occur. The above represent all holidays on which banks, schools, public offices and government departments close. There are also statutory holidays on which all employees receive a day’s holiday. For further details of these dates, contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Population:
July 2007 estimate: 6,980,412

0-14 years: 13% (male 476,089/female 434,326)
15-64 years: 74% (male 2,515,518/female 2,652,660)
65 years and over: 12.9% (male 419,479/female 482,340) (2007 est.)

Median age: 41.2 years (male: 40.9 years/female: 41.4 years)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.68 years (male: 78.99 years/female: 84.6 years)

Religion: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Language: 2001 census - Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official), other 1.2%

Local Customs: When someone serves you hot tea in Chinese restaurant, it's customary to tap two bent fingers on the table as an expression of thanks.

Seating arrangements are generally followed when dining in a private room in a restaurant, a common practice for banquets and business function. The guest of honor is always seated furthest from the door, while the host is seated closest to door.

If you select a gift to your host, confirm its Chinese significance.

Best Time to go: December to March remains pleasant to visit Hong Kong. In February Chinese New Year is celebrated bringing sparkles.

Currency:
1 US Dollar = 7.77602 Hong Kong Dollar
1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) = 0.12860 US Dollar (USD)

1 British Pound = 15.92303 Hong Kong Dollar
1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) = 0.06280 British Pound (GBP)

1 Euro = 11.10200 Hong Kong Dollar
1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) = 0.09007 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations: How much liquor or cigarettes can you bring in with you

A passenger aged 18 or above is allowed to bring into Hong Kong free of duty, for his/her own use, commodities to the extent of:
1 liter of alcoholic liquor; and 60 cigarettes or 15 cigars or 75gms of other manufactured tobacco

Aircraft crew and passengers in direct transit via Hong Kong are limited to 20 cigarettes or 57 grams of pipe tobacco.

Tipping:

Tipping in Hong Kong is very important. Waiters and waitresses will expect around 10% of the bill. Even when there is a service charge already included, it is still customary to leave a small amount. Taxi drivers tend to mark up the fare to the nearest Hong Kong dollar and if not, will appreciate a little extra. Bellboys, porters and toilet attendants will also expect a small tip.