Hong Kong grew into a large city spreading across Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula. The British established Hong Kong as a colony in the east and established a free market system. Although the British returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, Hong Kong remains a special district that embraces free markets and capitalism. Heritage Foundation ranked Hong Kong the most economically free region in the world for the last ten years.
As I walked along the sidewalks and streets, I saw more people and even more people. Hong Kong has over 7 million residents. Everywhere I went, I walked past crowds of people. People were bumping into me, and several stopped in front of me, so I bumped into them.
Although Hong Kong is the most economically free region globally, the city is expensive. I walked across the street to the grocery store and bought my pizza, sandwiches, and stir-fries at the deli, and I cringed at the costly prices.
Hong Kong has one benefit - a modern, clean subway connects the city. Although the airport is located outside the city in Kowloon Peninsula, I paid about $100 Hong Kong dollars (about $13 U.S. dollars) for a ride on the subway to the city near my hostel.
Hong Kong
- The country's area spans 426 square miles, making Hong Kong one of the smallest countries in the world.
- The currency is the Hong Kong dollar.
- Hong Kong is a special administrative district of China.
- Hong Kong's population was estimated at 7,071,576 in 2011, making it the fourth densest city in the world.
- Hong Kong is an Asian tiger with a rapidly growing economy. It is a market-based economy with low tax rates, a competitive workforce, and innovation, and one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
- British returned Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997.
