Hong Kong consists primarily of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island,
Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories as well as some 260 other
islands. The Kowloon Peninsula is attached to the New Territories
to the north, and the New Territories spans northwards eventually
connecting with mainland China across the Sham Chun River (Shenzhen
River).
In total, Hong Kong encompasses a collection of 262 islands in
the South China Sea, of which Lantau is the largest. Hong Kong
Island is the second largest island and the most populated. Ap Lei
Chau is the most densely populated island in the world.
The name "Hong Kong", which literally translates to mean
"fragrant harbour", is derived from the area around present-day
Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island. This is an area where fragrant wood
products and fragrant incense were once traded. The narrow body of
water which separates Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula
is known as Victoria Harbour and is one of the deepest natural
maritime ports in the world.
Despite Hong Kong's reputation of being intensely urbanised, the
territory has made much effort to promote a green environment. Much
of the territory remains undeveloped as the terrain is mostly hilly
to mountainous with steep slopes. Of the territory's 1,104 square
kilometres (426 square miles), less than 25% is developed. The
remaining land is remarkably green with about 40% of the landmass
reserved as country parks and nature reserves. Most of the
territory's urban development exists on the Kowloon peninsula,
along the northern shores of Hong Kong Island and in scattered
settlements throughout the New Territories.
Hong Kong's long, irregular and curvaceous coastline also
affords the territory with many bays, rivers and beaches. Despite
the territory's extensive wooded and ocean setting, environmental
awareness is growing as Hong Kong's air ranks as one of the most
polluted. Approximately 80% of the city's smog originates from
other parts of the Pearl River Delta.
Hong Kong is 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Macau on the
opposite side of the Pearl River Delta. It borders the city of
Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to the north. The highest elevation
in the territory is at Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 958 metres
(3,142 ft) above sea level. Lowlands exist in the northwestern part
of the New Territories. (wikipedia.org)
(China.org.cn)