Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a major port of Asia. It is also a center of trade, finance, manufacturing, and tourism. It consists of a peninsula attached to the mainland of China, and more than 235 islands. The main island, Hong Kong Island, lies south of the peninsula.
Hong Kong was part of China from ancient times until the 1800's. Through treaty agreements with China, Britain gained control of Hong Kong Island in 1842 and of the Kowloon Peninsula and tiny Stonecutters Island west of the peninsula in 1860. On July 1, 1898, China leased to Britain for 99 years the New Territories and the rest of the islands. China demanded the return of the entire colony when the New Territories lease expired and took control of Hong Kong on July 1, 1997.
Excerpt adapted from the "Hong Kong" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999